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Int J Neurosci
. 2020 Jun 16;1-5.
doi: 10.1080/00207454.2020.1782902. Online ahead of print.
Ischemic Stroke Associated With Novel Coronavirus 2019: A Report of Three Cases
Athena Sharifi-Razavi 1 , Narges Karimi 2 , Ashraf Zarvani 1 , Hamed Cheraghmakani 1 , Seyyed Mohammad Baghbanian 1
Affiliations
- PMID: 32543260
- DOI: 10.1080/00207454.2020.1782902
Abstract
Introduction: There is limited evidence about the neurological manifestations of COVID-19 in infected patients. In this report, we describe three patients with ischemic stroke associated with COVID-19 infection.Methods: We report 3 cases of adult patients with ischemic stroke and novel coronavirus 2019 infection. Case 1 is an 88-year-old female with acute left hemiplegia and right peripheral facial paresis that she had a fever along with stroke symptoms. Case 2 is an 85-year-old female with left hemiplegia and drowsiness who had a weakness, asthenia, and dry cough 3 days before appearing stroke signs. Case 3 is a 55-year-old male with acute Broca's aphasia and right hemiplegia who experience fever and respiratory problems 3 days after admission.Results: The clinical symptoms of infected patients with COVID-19 have been associated with severe symptoms of ischemic stroke. Two patients were admitted to the ICU. RT-PCR of the oropharyngeal sample was positive in three cases. All patients had the involvement of large cerebral arteries.Conclusion: The mechanism by which COVID-19 causes ischemic stroke is unknown but it is likely by production inflammatory cytokines or direct infection of cerebral arteries. Therefore, regarding the current situation of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is indispensable that the possible diagnosis of COVID-19 vasculopathy is considered in all ischemic strokes of unclear etiology.
Keywords: COVID-19; Case report; Ischemic stroke; Novel coronavirus.