[SARS-CoV-2 infection and ischemic stroke]

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Infectious Diseases
• Public Health

Background:

• The novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 causes COVID-19, a global health crisis with significant economic and social impacts.
• Neurological manifestations are increasingly reported in COVID-19 patients, posing diagnostic and management challenges.
• Stroke is a notable neurological complication, affecting up to 6% of COVID-19 cases.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the clinical characteristics of stroke in COVID-19 patients.
• To synthesize current knowledge on the presentation, evolution, and prognosis of these strokes.
• To outline proposed management strategies for neurological complications in COVID-19.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of studies reporting neurological manifestations in SARS-CoV-2 infected individuals.
• Synthesis of clinical data on stroke occurrence, patient demographics, and symptoms.
• Analysis of treatment approaches and outcomes for COVID-19 associated strokes.

Main Results:

• COVID-19 associated strokes exhibit unique characteristics, differing from traditional stroke presentations.
• Younger patients without prior medical history are increasingly affected.
• These strokes can present without typical infectious symptoms and lead to severe neurological outcomes.

Conclusions:

• Stroke is a significant and peculiar neurological complication of COVID-19.
• Understanding the distinct clinical profile of these strokes is crucial for effective management.
• Further research is needed to refine diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for COVID-19 related neurological events.