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Updated: Aug 18, 2025

Optimized Management of Endovascular Treatment for Acute Ischemic Stroke
Published on: January 18, 2018
COVID-19 Vaccination Is Associated with a Better Outcome in Acute Ischemic Stroke Patients: A Retrospective
Pier Andrea Rizzo1, Simone Bellavia1, Irene Scala1
1UOC Neurology, Catholic University of Sacred Heart, 00168 Rome, Italy.
Abstract:
Background: It is unclear whether and how COVID-19 vaccination may affect the outcome of patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS). We investigated this potential association in a retrospective study by comparing previously vaccinated (VAX) versus unvaccinated (NoVAX) stroke patients. Methods: We collected clinical reports for all consecutive AIS patients admitted to our hospital and evaluated the outcome predictors in VAX and NoVAX groups. Adjustments were made for possible confounders in multivariable logistic regression analysis, and adjusted hazard ratios were calculated. Results: A total of 466 AIS patients (287 VAX and 179 NoVAX) were included in this study. The NIHSS score at discharge and mRS score at a 3-month follow-up visit were significantly lower in VAX patients compared to NoVAX patients (p < 0.001). Good outcomes (mRS 0−2) were significantly associated with COVID-19 vaccination before AIS (adjusted hazard ratio, 0.400 [95% CI = 0.216−0.741]). Conclusions: The observation that COVID-19 vaccination can influence the outcome of AIS provides support for further studies investigating the role of immunity in ischemic brain damage.
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