Open AccessPreceding infection and risk of stroke: An old concept revived by the COVID-19 pandemic
Author(s) -
Kieron South,
Laura McCulloch,
Barry W. McColl,
Mitchell S.V. Elkind,
Stuart M. Allan,
Craig J. Smith
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
international journal of stroke
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.375
H-Index - 74
eISSN - 1747-4949
pISSN - 1747-4930
DOI - 10.1177/1747493020943815
Subject(s) - pandemic , medicine , stroke (engine) , covid-19 , disease , intensive care medicine , virology , infectious disease (medical specialty) , pathology , mechanical engineering , outbreak , engineering
Anecdotal reports and clinical observations have recently emerged suggesting a relationship between COVID-19 disease and stroke, highlighting the possibility that infected individuals may be more susceptible to cerebrovascular events. In this review we draw on emerging studies of the current pandemic and data from earlier, viral epidemics, to describe possible mechanisms by which SARS-CoV-2 may influence the prevalence of stroke, with a focus on the thromboinflammatory pathways, which may be perturbed. Some of these potential mechanisms are not novel but are, in fact, long-standing hypotheses linking stroke with preceding infection that are yet to be confirmed. The current pandemic may present a renewed opportunity to better understand the relationship between infection and stroke and possible underlying mechanisms.