Intraluminal Carotid Artery Thrombus in COVID-19
Another Danger of Cytokine Storm?
A.Y. Mohamud, B. Griffith, M. Rehman, D. Miller, A. Chebl, S.C. Patel, B. Howell, M. Kole, H. Marin
Abstract
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is associated with a severe inflammatory response. Inflammation affects atherosclerotic plaque vulnerability and promotes a thrombogenic environment. We report a series of 6 patients with COVID-19 with acute ischemic stroke due to intraluminal carotid artery thrombus presenting during an 8-day period. Six patients were included (5 men) with a mean age of 65.8 years (range, 55–78 years). COVID-19 was diagnosed by detection of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus 2 in 5 patients and was presumed due to typical clinical and imaging findings in 1 patient. All patients had vascular risk factors including diabetes (83%), hyperlipidemia (100%), and smoking (17%). Four patients presented with large infarcts with initial NIHSS scores of 24–30. During their hospitalization, all patients had elevated D-dimer and C-reactive protein levels, 5 patients had elevated lactate dehydrogenase and ferritin levels, 3 had elevated interleukin-6 levels, and 2 had elevated troponin levels. Inflammation related to COVID-19 may result in rupture of vulnerable atherosclerotic plaques, resulting in thrombosis and acute ischemic stroke.
Fonte:
AJNR. American Journal of Neuroradiology. Published July 2, 2020
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3174/ajnr.A6674
© 2020 by American Journal of Neuroradiology