First-Ever Ischemic Stroke In Covid-19: How Is It Different? - A Stroke Registry-Based Study From South India

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Infectious Diseases
• Epidemiology

Background:

• COVID-19 has been linked to stroke, but first-ever ischemic strokes (F-AIS) specifically require further investigation.
• Existing studies often lack differentiation between F-AIS and other stroke types in COVID-19 patients.
• The first wave of the pandemic presented unique challenges and potential impacts on cerebrovascular events.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the incidence, clinical characteristics, and outcomes of F-AIS associated with COVID-19.
• To compare F-AIS patients with COVID-19 against F-AIS patients without COVID-19.
• To compare COVID-19 patients without stroke against F-AIS patients with COVID-19.
• To analyze changes in stroke admissions and mechanisms between pandemic and prepandemic periods.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective cohort study design.
• Inclusion of patients experiencing first-ever ischemic strokes during the first COVID-19 pandemic wave.
• Comparative analysis between COVID-19 positive and negative F-AIS cohorts.
• Comparison of stroke admissions and etiological mechanisms pre- and during the pandemic.

Main Results:

• The study identified specific clinical profiles and outcomes for F-AIS in COVID-19 patients.
• Comparative data revealed differences in characteristics and outcomes between COVID-19 associated F-AIS and non-COVID-19 F-AIS.
• Analysis of stroke admissions indicated potential shifts in incidence and type during the pandemic.
• Mechanisms of stroke in COVID-19 patients showed distinct patterns compared to the prepandemic cohort.

Conclusions:

• COVID-19 significantly impacts the incidence and characteristics of first-ever ischemic strokes.
• Understanding these differences is crucial for managing neurological complications of viral infections.
• Pandemic periods necessitate careful monitoring of cerebrovascular event patterns and mechanisms.