Mechanical thrombectomy for acute multivessel occlusions with duplicated middle cerebral artery: A case report.

Acute multivessel occlusions generally have multisite clot burden with lower successful reperfusion rates, and cerebrovascular anatomical variants increase the challenge of endovascular clot retrieval. We report a case of acute anterior multivessel occlusions patient with duplicated middle cerebral artery. Combined balloon guide catheter with stent retriever and aspiration approach has gained complete revascularization and good functional outcomes at 3 months follow-up.

Impact of the COVID-19-pandemic on thrombectomy services in Germany.

BACKGROUND: The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic may have altered emergency workflows established to optimize the outcome of patients with large-vessel occlusion (LVO) stroke. AIMS: We here analyzed workflow time intervals and functional outcomes of LVO patients treated with endovascular thrombectomy (ET) during the COVID-19 pandemic in Germany. METHODS: We compared the frequency, pre- and intrahospital workflow time intervals, rates of reperfusion, and functional outcome of patients admitted from March 1st to May 31st 2020 with patients admitted during the same time interval in 2019 to 12 university and municipal hospitals across Germany (N = 795). RESULTS: The number of LVO patients treated with ET between March to May 2020 was similar when compared to the same interval in 2019. Direct-to-center patients and patients admitted through interhospital transfer in 2020 showed similar pre- and intrahospital workflow time intervals compared to patients admitted in 2019, except for a longer door-to-groin time in patients admitted through interhospital transfer in 2020 (47 min vs 38 min, p = 0.005). Rates of reperfusion were not significantly different between 2020 and 2019. Functional outcome at discharge of LVO patients treated in 2020 was not significantly different compared to patients treated in 2019. CONCLUSION: Pre- and intrahospital workflows, ET efficacy, and functional outcome of LVO patients treated with ET were not affected during the COVID-19 pandemic in our large cohort from centers across Germany.

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the provision of endovascular thrombectomy for stroke: an Irish perspective.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic produced unprecedented challenges to healthcare systems. These challenges were amplified in the setting of endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) for large vessel occlusion strokes given the time-sensitive nature of the procedure. AIMS: To assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on service provision at the primary endovascular stroke centre in Ireland. METHODS: A retrospective review of the National Thrombectomy Service database was performed. All patients undergoing EVT from 1 January to 31 December inclusive of 2019 to 2021 were included. Patient demographics, functional outcomes and endovascular treatment time metrics were recorded. RESULTS: Data from 2019, 2020 and 2021 were extracted. Three hundred seven thrombectomies were performed in 2019 and 2020; this number increased to 327 in 2021. Median time from arrival to groin puncture for thrombectomy was 64 min in 2019, increasing to 65 min in 2020. In 2021, this decreased to 52 min. Median time taken from groin puncture to first perfusion remained stable from 2019 to 2021 years at 20 min. Total duration of emergency thrombectomies reduced from 32 min in 2019 to 27 min in 2020. This increased to 29 min in 2021. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the myriad of challenges presented by the pandemic, service provision at the primary Irish ESC, and the referring hospitals, has proven to be robust. Procedural time metrics were maintained whilst the expected reduction in number of EVTs performed did not materialise, there actually being a significant increase in number of EVTs performed in the pandemic's second year.

Hyperhomocysteinemia is related to large vessel occlusion in young patients with COVID-19: Two case reports.

Here, we report two cases of previously healthy young men with COVID-19 infection who developed acute ischemic stroke due to large vessel occlusion followed by secondary events concerning for a further thromboembolic event. We hypothesize that the hypercoagulable state related to COVID-19 exacerbated the underlying hereditary thrombophilia.

Acute Neurological Complications of Coronavirus Disease.

The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has impacted many lives globally. Neurologic manifestations have been observed among individuals at various stages and severity of the disease, the most common being stroke. Prompt identification of these neurologic diagnoses can affect patient management and prognosis. This article discusses the acute neuroradiological features typical of COVID-19, including cerebrovascular disease, intracerebral hemorrhage, leukoencephalopathy, and sensory neuropathies.

A "Post-mortem" of COVID-19-associated stroke: a case-control study.

OBJECTIVES: To assess whether COVID-19 could be a concurrent factor in the genesis and/or worsening of stroke and to provide data on COVID-19 -associated stroke patients during the first pandemic wave and comparative data on COVID-19 negative stroke patients in the same period. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a retrospective, observational, case-control, single centre study, carried out in a General Hospital in northern Italy. Sixty-three consecutive stroke patients were included, COVID-19-associated stroke was classified as cases and non COVID-19-associated stroke as controls. RESULTS: A total of 19/63 (28.8%) had a COVID-19-associated stroke, 11 /63 (17.5%) were haemorrhagic and 52/63 (82.5%) ischaemic. COVID-19-associated strokes were more severe (p-value 0.019) and had a higher risk of severe disability and/or death (OR 3.79, CI 95%: 1.21-11.93, p-value 0.19). The COVID-19-associated stroke patients with onset during hospitalization for COVID-19 had a more severe stroke than patients with COVID-19 onset during hospitalization for stroke (p-value 0.019). CONCLUSION: Although no relationship was observed between the stroke aetiology and COVID-19, intriguingly, COVID-associated stroke turned out to be more severe and disabling. Hopefully, further studies will provide more data and help in the management of this emerging population.

International controlled study of revascularization and outcomes following COVID-positive mechanical thrombectomy.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Previous studies suggest that mechanisms and outcomes in patients with COVID-19-associated stroke differ from those in patients with non-COVID-19-associated strokes, but there is limited comparative evidence focusing on these populations. The aim of this study, therefore, was to determine if a significant association exists between COVID-19 status with revascularization and functional outcomes following thrombectomy for large vessel occlusion (LVO), after adjustment for potential confounding factors. METHODS: A cross-sectional, international multicenter retrospective study was conducted in consecutively admitted COVID-19 patients with concomitant acute LVO, compared to a control group without COVID-19. Data collected included age, gender, comorbidities, clinical characteristics, details of the involved vessels, procedural technique, and various outcomes. A multivariable-adjusted analysis was conducted. RESULTS: In this cohort of 697 patients with acute LVO, 302 had COVID-19 while 395 patients did not. There was a significant difference (p < 0.001) in the mean age (in years) and gender of patients, with younger patients and more males in the COVID-19 group. In terms of favorable revascularization (modified Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction [mTICI] grade 3), COVID-19 was associated with lower odds of complete revascularization (odds ratio 0.33, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.23-0.48; p < 0.001), which persisted on multivariable modeling with adjustment for other predictors (adjusted odds ratio 0.30, 95% CI 0.12-0.77; p = 0.012). Moreover, endovascular complications, in-hospital mortality, and length of hospital stay were significantly higher among COVID-19 patients (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: COVID-19 was an independent predictor of incomplete revascularization and poor functional outcome in patients with stroke due to LVO. Furthermore, COVID-19 patients with LVO were more often younger and had higher morbidity/mortality rates.

Large Vessel Occlusions By Free Floating Thrombi in Strokes During the COVID-19 pandemic- A Single Center Observational Study.

Background: An increased incidence of systemic macrothrombotic phenomena such as strokes has been observed in moderate and severe COVID. However, strokes have also been increasingly observed in mild COVID, post COVID, or without obvious COVID illness. Objective: To share our experience with a specific stroke type noted during the COVID pandemic period. Materials and Methods: A single-center observational study was conducted in Western India from January to December 2020, and data regarding stroke patients admitted under Neurology services were noted. Clinical, laboratory, and radiological characteristics of strokes and subtypes were documented. Results: A total of 238 stroke patients were admitted in 2020, 76.5% during the COVID pandemic period. Among 153 ischemic strokes, 16.3% and 56.2% had large vessel occlusion (LVO) in pre-COVID and COVID pandemic period, respectively. Of all ischemic strokes, 20.9% (18 patients) and 12% (3 patients) had free floating thrombus (FFT) in the COVID versus pre-COVID period, respectively. Only 44.4% of all FFT patients could be proven SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR positive while 50% were COVID suspect with surrogate markers of heightened inflammation at time of stroke. All patients were given anticoagulation and average mRS at discharge was 3.1 (range: 1-6) and 1.84 (range: 0-4) at 3-month follow-up in survivors. Conclusions: This study highlights the presence of FFT causing LVO as a new stroke subtype during the COVID-19 pandemic. With renewed and steeper spike in COVID-19 cases, especially new variants, the resurgence of this stroke subtype needs to be actively explored early in the course of illness to reduce morbidity and mortality.

Ischemic Stroke and Vaccine-Induced Immune Thrombotic Thrombocytopenia following COVID-19 Vaccine: A Case Report with Systematic Review of the Literature.

INTRODUCTION: Vaccine-induced immune thrombotic thrombocytopenia (VITT) is a prothrombotic syndrome observed after adenoviral vector-based vaccines for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. It is characterized by thrombocytopenia, systemic activation of coagulation, extensive venous thrombosis, and anti-platelet factor 4 antibodies. Arterial thrombosis is less common and mainly affects the aorta, peripheral arteries, heart, and brain. Several cases of ischemic stroke have been reported in VITT, often associated with large vessel occlusion (LVO). Here, we describe a case of ischemic stroke with LVO after Ad26.COV2.S vaccine, then we systematically reviewed the published cases of ischemic stroke and VITT following COVID-19 vaccination. METHODS: We describe a 58-year-old woman who developed a thrombotic thrombocytopenia syndrome with extensive splanchnic vein thrombosis and ischemic stroke due to right middle cerebral artery (MCA) occlusion, 13 days after receiving Ad26.COV2.S vaccination. Then, we performed a systematic review of the literature until December 3, 2021 using PubMed and EMBASE databases. The following keywords were used: ("COVID-19 vaccine") AND ("stroke"), ("COVID-19 vaccine") AND ("thrombotic thrombocytopenia"). We have selected all cases of ischemic stroke in VITT. RESULTS: Our study included 24 patients. The majority of the patients were females (79.2%) and younger than 60 years of age (median age 45.5 years). Almost all patients (96%) received the first dose of an adenoviral vector-based vaccine. Ischemic stroke was the presenting symptom in 18 patients (75%). Splanchnic venous thrombosis was found in 10 patients, and cerebral venous thrombosis in 5 patients (21%). Most patients (87.5%) had an anterior circulation stroke, mainly involving MCA. Seventeen patients (71%) had an intracranial LVO. We found a high prevalence of large intraluminal thrombi (7 patients) and free-floating thrombus (3 patients) in extracranial vessels, such as the carotid artery, in the absence of underlying atherosclerotic disease. Acute reperfusion therapy was performed in 7 of the 17 patients with LVO (41%). One patient with a normal platelet count underwent intravenous thrombolysis with alteplase, while 6 patients underwent mechanical thrombectomy. A malignant infarct occurred in 9 patients and decompressive hemicraniectomy was performed in 7 patients. Five patients died (21%). CONCLUSION: Our study points out that, in addition to cerebral venous thrombosis, adenoviral vector-based vaccines also appear to have a cerebral arterial thrombotic risk, and clinicians should be aware that ischemic stroke with LVO, although rare, could represent a clinical presentation of VITT.

Neutrophil-Lymphocyte ratio is associated with poor clinical outcome after mechanical thrombectomy in stroke in patients with COVID-19.

BACKGROUND: The neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is emerging as an important biomarker of acute physiologic stress in a myriad of medical conditions, and is a confirmed poor prognostic indicator in COVID-19. OBJECTIVE: We sought to describe the role of NLR in predicting poor outcome in COVID-19 patients undergoing mechanical thrombectomy for acute ischemic stroke. METHODS: We analyzed NLR in COVID-19 patients with large vessel occlusion (LVO) strokes enrolled into an international 12-center retrospective study of laboratory-confirmed COVID-19, consecutively admitted between March 1, 2020 and May 1, 2020. Increased NLR was defined as ≥7.2. Logistic regression models were generated. RESULTS: Incidence of LVO stroke was 38/6698 (.57%). Mean age of patients was 62 years (range 27-87), and mortality rate was 30%. Age, sex, and ethnicity were not predictive of mortality. Elevated NLR and poor vessel recanalization (Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction (TICI) score of 1 or 2a) synergistically predicted poor outcome (likelihood ratio 11.65, p = .003). Patients with NLR > 7.2 were 6.8 times more likely to die (OR 6.8, CI95% 1.2-38.6, p = .03) and almost 8 times more likely to require prolonged invasive mechanical ventilation (OR 7.8, CI95% 1.2-52.4, p = .03). In a multivariate analysis, NLR > 7.2 predicted poor outcome even when controlling for the effect of low TICI score on poor outcome (NLR p = .043, TICI p = .070). CONCLUSIONS: We show elevated NLR in LVO patients with COVID-19 portends significantly worse outcomes and increased mortality regardless of recanalization status. Severe neuro-inflammatory stress response related to COVID-19 may negate the potential benefits of successful thrombectomy.

COVID-19 Positive Stroke Patient With Large Vessel Occlusion in the Epidemic.

COVID-19 disease causes various neurological disorders. Of these, stroke is the most devastating and difficult to manage in epidemic conditions. An increase in the rate of acute ischemic stroke in hospitalized coronavirus patients and stroke with large vessel occlusion due to COVID-19 disease have been reported in recent publications. The management of these patients is difficult and becomes even more challenging in epidemic conditions. A 71-year-old man suddenly developed left-sided weakness while he was hospitalized for COVID-19 disease. Cerebral computed tomographic angiography showed a terminus of the right internal carotid artery. The occluded vessel was completely recanalized by endovascular therapy. Left-sided hemiparesis resolved completely. As a result of this study, cryptogenic stroke was considered in the etiology of stroke. In this report, we present a case of stroke with COVID-19, who developed large vessel occlusion accompanied by splenic infarction while hospitalized due to COVID-19 disease and was successfully treated with endovascular thrombectomy under epidemic conditions.

Descriptive analysis of Acute Ischemic stroke in COVID-19 patients through the course of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been associated with Acute Ischemic Stroke (AIS). Here, we characterize our institutional experience with management of COVID-19 and AIS. Baseline demographics, clinical, imaging, and outcomes data were determined in patients with COVID-19 and AIS presenting within March 2020 to October 2020, and November 2020 to August 2021, based on institutional COVID-19 hospitalization volume. Of 2512 COVID-19 patients, 35 (1.39%, mean age 63.3 years, 54% women) had AIS. AIS recognition was frequently delayed after COVID-19 symptoms (median 19.5 days). Four patients (11%) were on therapeutic anticoagulation at AIS recognition. AIS mechanism was undetermined or due to multiple etiologies in most cases (n = 20, 57%). Three patients underwent IV TPA, and three underwent mechanical thrombectomy, of which two suffered re-occlusion. Three patients had incomplete mRNA vaccination course. Fourteen (40%) died, with 26 (74%) having poor outcomes. Critical COVID-19 severity was associated with worsened mortality (p = 0.02). More patients (12/16; 75%) had either worsened or similar 3-month functional outcomes, than those with improvement, indicating the devastating impact of co-existing AIS and COVID-19. Comparative analysis showed that patients in the later cohort had earlier AIS presentation, fewer stroke risk factors, more comprehensive workup, more defined stroke mechanisms, less instance of critical COVID-19 severity, more utilization of IV TPA, and a trend towards worse outcomes for the sub-group of mild-to-moderate COVID-19 severity. AIS incidence, NIHSS, and overall outcomes were similar. Further studies should investigate outcomes beyond 3 months and their predictive factors, impact of completed vaccination course, and access to neurologic care.

Left Atrial Enlargement on Non-Gated CT Is Associated with Large Vessel Occlusion in Acute Ischaemic Stroke.

BACKGROUND: Recent reports have suggested that atrial fibrillation (AF) is more prevalent in the large vessel occlusion (LVO) subgroup of acute ischaemic stroke patients. Given the association between left atrial enlargement (LAE) and AF, we sought to evaluate the feasibility of assessing LAE on non-gated CT and its association with LVO in the hyperacute stroke setting. METHODS: We analysed our prospectively collected database that included all stroke patients referred for consideration of endovascular treatment between April 14, 2020, and May 21, 2020. During this period, a CT chest was included in our regional stroke protocol to aid triage of patients suspected for COVID-19 from which cardiac measurements were obtained. Patients were dichotomized into LVO and no-LVO groups, and LA measurements were trichotomized into normal, borderline, and enlarged. Univariate analyses were performed between groups. RESULTS: Of the included 38 patients, 21 were categorized as LVO and 17 as no LVO. There was a statistically significant association between LAE and LVO (p = 0.028). No significant difference was demonstrated between groups for the baseline AF and other clinical characteristics, except for baseline NIHSS (p = 0.0005). There was excellent inter- and intra-rater reliability (ICC = 0.969) for LA measurements. CONCLUSION: Our study provides preliminary data to suggest LAE is more prevalent in the LVO stroke subgroup at presentation and can be reliably assessed on non-gated CT in the hyperacute setting. These findings have potential implications for stratifying secondary management and may prompt a more rigorous pursuit of occult AF or other cardiac causes of stroke.

Large Vessel Occlusion Causing Cerebral Ischemic Stroke in Previously Healthy Middle-Aged Recently Recovered from Severe COVID-19 Infection.

BACKGROUND: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) due to novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has led to an unprecedented worldwide pandemic with diverse respiratory symptoms as well as systemic manifestations and complications. The neurological manifestations of COVID-19 include, but are not limited to, headache, cerebrovascular disease, and skeletal muscle injury. CASE REPORT: Herein, we present a case of stroke with large vessel occlusion in a middle-aged man, who recently recovered from severe SARS-CoV-2 infection. This patient is not known to have any medical illness or surgical history and has no cerebrovascular risk factors. Moreover, the patient underwent extensive investigations, including neuroimaging, cardiac and laboratory work-up with no evidence of stroke etiology. CONCLUSION: The mechanism of cerebrovascular events in the setting of COVID-19 is still uncertain and probably multi-factorial. The prevailing hypothesis is a strong thrombotic tendency, which may even be prolonged after complete recovery. In our patient's case, hypercoagulability in the context of viral infection is the most likely mechanism for the stroke. Further studies are needed to find out the exact pathogenesis of thromboembolic events in the setting of COVID-19 infection as well as the efficacy, safety, dosage, and duration of anticoagulants in such conditions.

[Ischemic stroke in coronavirus disease 2019]. / Ischämische Hirninfarkte bei Coronavirus-19-Erkrankung.

This article reports two cases of patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in which occlusion of large cerebral arteries occurred. These occurred in a female patient in the early stage of COVID-19 and in the second case in the late stage. One female patient could be successfully treated with i.v. thrombolysis and mechanical thrombectomy. Coagulopathy in the course of COVID-19 can result in severe stroke with poor outcome even in younger patients. With respect to the etiology of arterial occlusions (COVID-19-induced hypercoagulopathy, cardiomyopathy, vasculitis) there is a necessity for further research.

Influence of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on working flow, safety and efficacy outcome of mechanical thrombectomy for acute ischemic stroke with large vessel occlusion.

AIM: The epidemic of COVID-19 has greatly affect the world health care system, particular measures have been taken not only to provide safety for health care providers but also to maintain the treatment quality. We evaluate the effect of COVID-19 epidemic to acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients with large vessel occlusion (LVO) received endovascular treatment (EVT) in our institution. METHODS: AIS patients with LVO who underwent EVT in the period of January 1st to April 30th between 2015 and 2020 from our stroke center. The baseline characteristics, working flow time, safety and efficacy outcome and the hospitalization status were retrospectively reviewed, compared and analyzed. RESULTS: There is significant decline in the number of AIS patients with LVO treated compared with the previous year (36 Vs 72 patients) during the epidemic period. The door to puncture time was significantly prolong (225 minutes versus 115 minutes) as well as the length of hospital stay with increase of the hospitalization costs (P < 0.05 for all). There is no significant difference on the safety and efficacy outcome, such recanalization rate, incidence of intracranial hemorrhage, functional independence and mortality during the epidemic (P > 0.05 for all). CONCLUSIONS: Prolongation of the working time flow during the COVID-19 epidemic did not influence the safety and efficacy of EVT in AIS patients with LVO. However, special policy and particular measures in this circumstances is still need to evolve to improve the treatment quality.

Clinical and Radiological Characteristics of Acute Cerebrovascular Diseases Among Egyptian Patients With COVID-19 in Upper Egypt.

Background and Purpose: There is little information on the acute cerebrovascular complications of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Egypt. The aim of this study was to estimate the proportion of acute cerebrovascular disease (CVD) among COVID-19 patients and evaluate their clinical and radiological characteristics in comparison with non-COVID-19 CVD. Materials and Methods: In a retrospective study, COVID-19 patients whom presented with CVD in Assiut and Aswan University Hospitals were compared with non-COVID-19, CVD patients, admitted to Qena University Hospital, prior to the pandemic. The following data were collected: clinical history and presentation, risk factors, comorbidities, brain imaging (MRI or CT), chest CT, and some laboratory investigations. Results: Fifty-five (12.5%) of the 439 patients with COVID-19 had acute CVD. Of them, 42 (9.6%) had ischemic stroke while 13 patients (2.9%) had hemorrhagic CVD. In the 250 cases of the non-COVID-19 group, 180 had ischemic stroke and 70 had hemorrhagic stroke. A large proportion of patients with COVID-19 who presented with ischemic stroke had large vessel occlusion (LVO), which was significantly higher than in non-COVID-19 patients with CVD (40 vs. 7.2%, P < 0.001). Comorbidities were recorded in 44 (80%) cases. In COVID-19 ischemic stroke patients, risk factors [hypertension and ischemic heart disease (IHD)] and comorbidities (hepatic and renal) were significantly higher than those in non-COVID-19 patients. In addition, 23.5% had hemorrhagic CVD, and six patients with LVO developed hemorrhagic transformation. Conclusion: Acute CVD among patients with COVID-19 was common in our study. LVO was the commonest. Hypertension, IHD, and anemia are the most common risk factors and could contribute to the worsening of clinical presentation. Comorbidities were common among patients with CVD, although a large number had elevated liver enzymes and creatinine that were partially due to COVID-19 infection itself. The current results begin to characterize the spectrum of CVD associated with COVID-19 in patients in Upper Egypt. Registration ID: The ID number of this study is IRB no: 17300470.

International Survey of Mechanical Thrombectomy Stroke Systems of Care During COVID-19 Pandemic.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic has strained the healthcare systems across the world but its impact on acute stroke care is just being elucidated. We hypothesized a major global impact of COVID-19 not only on stroke volumes but also on various aspects of thrombectomy systems. AIMS: We conducted a convenience electronic survey with a 21-item questionnaire aimed to identify the changes in stroke admission volumes and thrombectomy treatment practices seen during a specified time period of the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: The survey was designed using Qualtrics software and sent to stroke and neuro-interventional physicians around the world who are part of the Global Executive Committee (GEC) of Mission Thrombectomy 2020, a global coalition under the aegis of Society of Vascular and Interventional Neurology, between April 5th and May 15th, 2020. RESULTS: There were 113 responses to the survey across 25 countries with a response rate of 31% among the GEC members. Globally there was a median 33% decrease in stroke admissions and a 25% decrease in mechanical thrombectomy (MT) procedures during the COVID-19 pandemic period until May 15th, 2020 compared to pre-pandemic months. The intubation policy for MT procedures during the pandemic was highly variable across participating centers: 44% preferred intubating all patients, including 25% of centers that changed their policy to preferred-intubation (PI) from preferred non-intubation (PNI). On the other hand, 56% centers preferred not intubating patients undergoing MT, which included 27% centers that changed their policy from PI to PNI. There was no significant difference in rate of COVID-19 infection between PI versus PNI centers (p=0.60) or if intubation policy was changed in either direction (p=1.00). Low-volume (<10 stroke/month) compared with high-volume stroke centers (>20 strokes/month) were less likely to have neurointerventional suite specific written personal protective equipment protocols (74% vs 88%) and if present, these centers were more likely to report them to be inadequate (58% vs 92%). CONCLUSION: Our data provides a comprehensive snapshot of the impact on acute stroke care observed worldwide during the pandemic. Overall, respondents reported decreased stroke admissions as well as decreased cases of MT with no clear preponderance in intubation policy during MT. DATA ACCESS STATEMENT: The corresponding author will consider requests for sharing survey data. The study was exempt from institutional review board approval as it did not involve patient level data.

Incidence, Characteristics and Outcomes of Large Vessel Stroke in COVID-19 Cohort: An International Multicenter Study.

BACKGROUND: While there are reports of acute ischemic stroke (AIS) in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients, the overall incidence of AIS and clinical characteristics of large vessel occlusion (LVO) remain unclear. OBJECTIVE: To attempt to establish incidence of AIS in COVID-19 patients in an international cohort. METHODS: A cross-sectional retrospective, multicenter study of consecutive patients admitted with AIS and COVID-19 was undertaken from March 1 to May 1, 2020 at 12 stroke centers from 4 countries. Out of those 12 centers, 9 centers admitted all types of strokes and data from those were used to calculate the incidence rate of AIS. Three centers exclusively transferred LVO stroke (LVOs) patients and were excluded only for the purposes of calculating the incidence of AIS. Detailed data were collected on consecutive LVOs in hospitalized patients who underwent mechanical thrombectomy (MT) across all 12 centers. RESULTS: Out of 6698 COVID-19 patients admitted to 9 stroke centers, the incidence of stroke was found to be 1.3% (interquartile range [IQR] 0.75%-1.7%). The median age of LVOs patients was 51 yr (IQR 50-75 yr), and in the US centers, African Americans comprised 28% of patients. Out of 66 LVOs, 10 patients (16%) were less than 50 yr of age. Among the LVOs eligible for MT, the average time from symptom onset to presentation was 558 min (IQR 82-695 min). A total of 21 (50%) patients were either discharged to home or discharged to acute rehabilitation facilities. CONCLUSION: LVO was predominant in patients with AIS and COVID-19 across 2 continents, occurring at a significantly younger age and affecting African Americans disproportionately in the USA.