[Cerebral circulation disorders in COVID-19]

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Infectious Diseases
• Vascular Medicine

Background:

• Cerebrovascular disorders have been increasingly associated with COVID-19.
• Neurological manifestations in COVID-19 patients present a diagnostic challenge.
• Understanding the specific vascular pathways affected is crucial for patient management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present two clinical cases illustrating different mechanisms of cerebral circulation disorders in COVID-19.
• To highlight the importance of differentiating arterial versus venous involvement in COVID-19 related cerebrovascular events.
• To emphasize the need for heightened clinical suspicion for neurological symptoms in COVID-19 patients.

Main Methods:

• Case report analysis of two patients with COVID-19 and new-onset neurological deficits.
• Clinical evaluation including neurological examination and neuroimaging.
• Pathophysiological analysis differentiating arterial and venous system damage.

Main Results:

• Case 1: Cerebral circulation disorder attributed to arterial system damage in a COVID-19 patient.
• Case 2: Cerebral circulation disorder attributed to venous system damage in a COVID-19 patient.
• Demonstration of distinct pathophysiological mechanisms underlying neurological damage in COVID-19.

Conclusions:

• COVID-19 can lead to cerebrovascular complications via both arterial and venous pathways.
• Clinical presentation may be similar, but underlying vascular pathology differs significantly.
• Healthcare providers must maintain a high index of suspicion for new neurological symptoms in all COVID-19 patients.