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Published on: September 20, 2024
Characteristics of a COVID-19 Cohort With Large Vessel Occlusion: A Multicenter International Study
Pascal Jabbour1, Adam A Dmytriw2, Ahmad Sweid1
1Department of Neurological Surgery, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.
Insights
COVID-19 patients with large vessel occlusion (LVO) stroke experienced poorer outcomes and less revascularization. This virus independently predicts incomplete treatment and worse results in LVO stroke patients.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Infectious Diseases
- Cardiovascular Research
Background:
- Stroke mechanisms and outcomes in COVID-19 patients differ from non-COVID-19 stroke.
- Understanding these differences is crucial for effective treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy and outcomes of acute revascularization for large vessel occlusion (LVO) stroke in patients with COVID-19.
- To compare these outcomes with a historical control group.
Main Methods:
- International multicenter retrospective study involving 50 stroke centers.
- Compared 194 COVID-19 patients with acute LVO to 381 historical controls receiving mechanical thrombectomy.
Main Results:
- COVID-19 patients were younger and had fewer vascular risk factors.
- Revascularization rates were lower (39.2% vs 67.2%) and poor functional outcomes were higher (79.8% vs 66.7%) in the COVID-19 group.
- COVID-19 was linked to lower revascularization likelihood (OR: 0.4) and worse outcomes (OR: 2.5).
Conclusions:
- COVID-19 independently predicts incomplete revascularization and poor outcomes in LVO stroke.
- COVID-19 patients with LVO exhibited higher morbidity and mortality rates despite being younger with fewer risk factors.
Background:
The mechanisms and outcomes in coronavirus disease (COVID-19)-associated stroke are unique from those of non-COVID-19 stroke.
Objective:
To describe the efficacy and outcomes of acute revascularization of large vessel occlusion (LVO) in the setting of COVID-19 in an international cohort.
Methods:
We conducted an international multicenter retrospective study of consecutively admitted patients with COVID-19 with concomitant acute LVO across 50 comprehensive stroke centers. Our control group constituted historical controls of patients presenting with LVO and receiving a mechanical thrombectomy between January 2018 and December 2020.
Results:
The total cohort was 575 patients with acute LVO; 194 patients had COVID-19 while 381 patients did not. Patients in the COVID-19 group were younger (62.5 vs 71.2; P < .001) and lacked vascular risk factors (49, 25.3% vs 54, 14.2%; P = .001). Modified thrombolysis in cerebral infarction 3 revascularization was less common in the COVID-19 group (74, 39.2% vs 252, 67.2%; P < .001). Poor functional outcome at discharge (defined as modified Ranklin Scale 3-6) was more common in the COVID-19 group (150, 79.8% vs 132, 66.7%; P = .004). COVID-19 was independently associated with a lower likelihood of achieving modified thrombolysis in cerebral infarction 3 (odds ratio [OR]: 0.4, 95% CI: 0.2-0.7; P < .001) and unfavorable outcomes (OR: 2.5, 95% CI: 1.4-4.5; P = .002).
Conclusion:
COVID-19 was an independent predictor of incomplete revascularization and poor outcomes in patients with stroke due to LVO. Patients with COVID-19 with LVO were younger, had fewer cerebrovascular risk factors, and suffered from higher morbidity/mortality rates.
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