ABSTRACT
Background and aims: COVID-19 is complicated by symptomatic ischemic stroke in 1% to 3% in small selected studies of hospitalized patients. We aimed to assess the prevalence of cerebrovascular MRI markers and its causes in large samples of unselected patients with COVID-19, compared to healthy controls, which is unknown. Methods: CORONIS is an ongoing observational cohort study in adult hospitalized patients with COVID-19. Patients without clinically overt stroke undergo standardized questionnaires, cognitive assessment, blood sampling, cardiac echo, telemetry and brain MRI within 90 days after COVID-19 infection. Controls undergo standardized questionnaires and brain MRI. MRI markers include (acute) ischemic lesions, microbleeds, white matter hyperintensities, and intracranial vessel wall abnormalities and contrast enhancement. Brain MRI will be repeated after 3 months in a subset of patients. Cognitive function and functional outcome are assessed after 3 and 12 months after baseline measurements. Results: This is an ongoing study with preliminary results. Between April and December 2021, we recruited 88 patients with a median age of 59 years (IQR 49.3-67.8), of whom 59 (67%) are men and 25 (28%) had been admitted to the ICU. DWI lesions were found in 1 patient (1%), microbleeds in 22 patients (23%) and white matter hyperintensities in 66 (75%). Intracranial vessel wall enhancement was seen in 16%. Control results will follow. Conclusions: The CORONIS study will provide insight into the frequency and risk factors of MRI markers of cerebrovascular lesions and its relation with long-term functional outcome in hospitalized adult patients with COVID-19.