COVID-19 Ischemic Strokes as an Emerging Rehabilitation Population: A Case Series

There is emerging literature that coronavirus disease 2019 infections result in an increased incidence of thrombosis secondary to a prothrombotic state. Initial studies reported ischemic strokes primarily occurring in the critically ill coronavirus disease 2019 population. However, there have been reports of ischemic strokes as the presenting symptom in young noncritically ill coronavirus disease 2019 patients without significant risk factors. Further characterization of the coronavirus disease 2019 stroke population is needed. We present four cases of coronavirus disease 2019 ischemic strokes occurring in patients aged 37-68 yrs with varying coronavirus disease 2019 infection severities, premorbid risk factors, clinical presentations (eg, focal and nonfocal), and vascular distributions. These cases highlight the heterogeneity of coronavirus disease 2019 ischemic strokes. The duration of the coronavirus disease 2019-related prothrombotic state is unknown, and it is unclear whether patients are at risk for recurrent strokes. With more coronavirus disease 2019 patients recovering and being discharged to rehabilitation, physiatric awareness of this prothrombotic state and increased incidence of ischemic strokes is essential. Because of the variable presentation of coronavirus disease 2019 ischemic strokes, clinicians can consider neuroimaging as part of the evaluation in coronavirus disease 2019 patients with either acute focal or nonfocal neurologic symptoms. Additional studies are needed to clarify prothrombotic state duration, determine prognosis for recovery, and establish the physiatrist's role in long-term disease management.