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Cerebral hemodynamic alterations in patients with Covid-19

Ali Rıza Sonkaya1, Bilgin Öztrk1, Ömer Karadaş1

  • 1Department of Neurology, University of Health Science, Gülhane School of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences
|October 6, 2020
PubMed

Insights

This study found that patients with Coronavirus 2019 disease (COVID-19) exhibit altered cerebrovascular hemodynamics. COVID-19 patients showed higher cerebral blood flow velocity and reduced vasomotor reactivity compared to healthy individuals.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Vascular Biology
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Coronavirus 2019 disease (COVID-19) emerged in December 2019 and rapidly became a global pandemic.
  • Numerous systemic complications associated with COVID-19 have been documented.
  • Cerebrovascular involvement is an emerging concern in COVID-19 patients.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate cerebrovascular hemodynamics in patients diagnosed with COVID-19.
  • To compare cerebral blood flow velocities and vasomotor reactivity between COVID-19 patients and healthy controls.
  • To identify potential hemodynamic markers of central nervous system dysfunction in COVID-19.

Main Methods:

  • The study included 20 hospitalized COVID-19 patients confirmed by PCR and 20 age- and sex-matched healthy volunteers.
  • Transcranial Doppler ultrasonography was employed to assess bilateral middle cerebral arteries.
  • Basal cerebral blood flow velocities and vasomotor reactivity rates were measured and statistically analyzed.

Main Results:

  • COVID-19 patients demonstrated significantly higher mean blood flow velocity in the middle cerebral arteries compared to healthy controls (P = 0.00).
  • A statistically significant decrease in mean vasomotor reactivity rates was observed in the COVID-19 group relative to the healthy group (P = 0.00).
  • These findings indicate significant alterations in cerebral hemodynamics during COVID-19 infection.

Conclusions:

  • Elevated basal cerebral blood flow velocity and diminished vasomotor reactivity in COVID-19 patients suggest impaired cerebral hemodynamics.
  • These hemodynamic changes may reflect underlying endothelial dysfunction in the central nervous system of COVID-19 patients.
  • Cerebrovascular assessment could be crucial for understanding the neurological impact of COVID-19.
Abstract

Keywords:
Covid-19SARS-Cov-2blood flow velocityvasomotor reactivity

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