Unusual Pattern of Arterial Macrothrombosis Causing Stroke in a Young Adult Recovered from COVID-19

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Infectious Diseases
• Cardiovascular Medicine

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic has seen an increase in reported neurological manifestations, including acute ischemic stroke (AIS).
• Typically, patients experiencing AIS in the context of COVID-19 are older, possess comorbidities, and present with severe respiratory illness.
• Understanding the diverse clinical presentations of COVID-19 is crucial for effective patient management.

Observation:

• This report details a 36-year-old man with no prior medical history who developed AIS.
• The patient had recently recovered from a mild case of COVID-19.
• The AIS occurred despite the absence of current COVID-19 symptoms and negative infection tests.

Findings:

• The patient presented with an unusual pattern of arterial macrothrombosis leading to AIS.
• This finding is notable given the patient's young age and lack of traditional risk factors for stroke.
• The chest CT scan was unremarkable, further emphasizing the atypical presentation.

Implications:

• This case suggests that even mild COVID-19 infections can trigger severe thrombotic events like AIS in younger, otherwise healthy individuals.
• It broadens the spectrum of potential neurological complications associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection.
• Further research is needed to understand the mechanisms linking mild COVID-19 to macrothrombosis and AIS.