CC BY 4.0 · The Arab Journal of Interventional Radiology 2024; 08(01): 013-018
DOI: 10.1055/s-0043-1775991
Original Article

CT and Angiographic Findings among COVID-19-Positive Patients Presenting with Stroke and Their Outcomes

1   Dubai Academic Health Corporation, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
,
1   Dubai Academic Health Corporation, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
,
Amritendu Mukherjee
2   Rashid Hospital, Dubai Academic Health Corporation, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
,
Ahmad Abdel Muhdi
2   Rashid Hospital, Dubai Academic Health Corporation, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
,
Ayman Al-Sibaie
2   Rashid Hospital, Dubai Academic Health Corporation, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
› Author Affiliations

Abstract

Background The study aims to assess and compare the computed tomographic and angiographic findings and clinical outcomes among coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-positive and COVID-19-negative patients.

Methods We conducted a retrospective study of all patients presenting with acute stroke to our facility between March 2020 and October 2021. Demographics, risk factors, COVID-19 status, National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS), mode of treatment, length of hospital stay, imaging findings, and angiographic and clinical outcomes were extracted from electronic medical records. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the data. Pregnant patients, those under the age of 18, and those found to have an alternative diagnosis were excluded. We identified 103 patients with acute stroke who underwent thrombolysis and/or mechanical thrombectomy, 16 of whom were found to be COVID-positive (study group), while 87 of them had negative status (control group).

Results The mean age of both groups (COVID-19 positive and COVID-19 negative) was 56 years, and 85% were male. The most frequently involved vessel was the M1 segment of the middle cerebral artery (37% in COVID-19-positive patients vs. 41% in COVID-19-negative patients). Sixty-one patients underwent thrombectomy, and both groups had comparable successful recanalization. Patients with COVID-19 infection were more likely to have a more extended hospital stay and a higher average NIHSS score at discharge.

Conclusion Our study shows that ischemic stroke in COVID-19 occurs in predominantly male patients, with the middle cerebral artery being the most frequently involved vascular territory. Furthermore, there is a longer hospital stay and worse morbidity regardless of the mode of treatment and imaging findings in COVID-19-positive patients.



Publication History

Article published online:
13 November 2023

© 2023. The Author(s). This is an open access article published by Thieme under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, permitting unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction so long as the original work is properly cited. (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

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