Internal carotid artery thrombosis in COVID 19 / Trombosis de arteria carótida interna en COVID 19

Abstract Case description: 37-year-old female with PCR-RT swab for COVID-19 positive, with neurological manifestation as a result of internal carotid artery occlusion. Clinical findings: Nasal congestion and sneezing of 5 days duration; pulsatile headache in the left hemicranium 3 days prior to admission, with intensity 6/10 according to the visual analogue scale, accompanied by phosphenes, photophobia and diplopia; with subsequent developing right hemiparesis over a 26-hour period. Treatment and result: She was given medical management with oral antiplatelet agents and anticoagulants (subcutaneous and oral) during his hospitalization, it was not possible to perform thrombolysis and thrombectomy due to the high risk of complications. He was discharged at 14 days, without functional limitation, symmetrical strength in upper and lower limbs, bilateral visual acuity 20/20, denying headache. Clinical relevance: The case presented here describes a pattern in how data supporting an association between COVID-19 and stroke in young populations with or without typical vascular risk factors, sometimes with only mild respiratory symptoms, is increasing. Prospective studies are required to further evaluate this association, as well as anticoagulation studies to prevent these potentially life-threatening events.

Resumen Descripción del caso: Mujer de 37 años con hisopado PCR-RT para COVID-19 positivo, con manifestación neurológica por oclusión de la arteria carótida interna. Hallazgos clínicos: Congestión nasal y estornudos de 5 días de duración; cefalea pulsátil en hemicráneo izquierdo 3 días antes del ingreso, con intensidad 6/10 según la escala visual analógica, acompañada de fosfenos, fotofobia y diplopía; con posterior desarrollo de hemiparesia derecha durante un período de 26 horas. Tratamiento y resultado: Se le brindó manejo médico con antiagregantes plaquetarios orales y anticoagulantes (subcutáneos y orales) durante su internación, no fue posible realizar trombólisis y trombectomía por alto riesgo de complicaciones. Fue dado de alta a los 14 días, sin limitación funcional, fuerza simétrica en miembros superiores e inferiores, agudeza visual bilateral 20/20, negando cefalea. Relevancia clínica: Se describe un patrón que indica cómo están aumentando los datos que apoyan una asociación entre COVID-19 y el accidente cerebrovascular en poblaciones jóvenes con o sin factores de riesgo vascular típicos, a veces con solo síntomas respiratorios leves. Se requieren estudios prospectivos para evaluar más a fondo esta asociación, así como estudios de anticoagulación para prevenir estos eventos potencialmente mortales.

Intra-carotid thrombolytic therapy in acute ischemic stroke of carotid arterial territory

Intra-carotid urokinase (UK) infusion in 20 patients with acute internal carotid artery (ICA) territorial ischemic stroke achieved immediate recanalization in 45% and the clinical outcome in patients with recanalization was superior to that of patients without recanalization. The procedure was most effective in patients with smaller arterial occlusions: 7 of 10 patients with MCA branch occlusions (M2 to M4) achieved recanalization compared to only 2 of 10 with distal ICA or M1 occlusions, which should be an important issue for the critical evaluation of the efficacy of thrombolytic therapy (TT). Hemorrhagic transformation was observed in 9 patients on CT scan; petechial hemorrhage in 5 and intraparenchymal hematoma formation in 4. Among 4 patients with hematoma formation, clinical deterioration was seen in 3 cases and the angiography at the immediate end of the UK infusion showed recanalization in only one patient. The average dose of UK in patients with parenchymal hematoma formation was higher than that of patients without hemorrhagic transformation (123.3 x 10(4) units vs 101 x 10(4) units). The administration of a large dose of UK, probably more than 100 x 10(4) units, and the absence of immediate recanalization seemed to increase the risk of parenchymal hematoma formation. Despite the effort of investigators, the in-hospital time delay for the TT was significant which was mainly related to the time consuming preparation for angiography especially during night. A more effective system for the earlier intervention of acute ischemic stroke needs to be developed.