COVID-19 and stroke, a case series and review of literature

Background: Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases continue to increase around the World. Typical symptoms include fever and respiratory illness but a constellation of multisystem involvement including central nervous system (CNS) and peripheral nervous system (PNS) have been reported with COVID-19. Acute ischemic strokes (AIS) have also been reported as a complication.Methodology: We analyzed patient characteristics, clinical outcomes, laboratory results and imaging results of four patients with COVID-19 who had AIS.Results: All four patients were 1/4< 60 years, had hypoxemic respiratory failure secondary to pneumonia, elevated D-dimer and inflammatory markers.Conclusion: Ischemic strokes are known complications in patients with severe COVID-19.