Tackling persistent neurological symptoms in patients following acute COVID-19 infection: an update of the literature.

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic has taught myriad lessons and left several questions we are yet to comprehend. Initially, the scientific community was concerned with the management of acute disease and immunization. Once the peak of the pandemic receded, it became clear that a proportion of patients were far from fully recovered.

Endovascular Thrombectomy for Large Core Volume Acute Ischemic Stroke. Updated Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis: Thrombectomy for large core acute ischemic strokes.

Background: Several recent studies assessed the efficacy and safety of endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) for patients with acute ischemic stroke caused by an anterior circulation large vessel occlusion (LVO) with large core infarct volumes.

Methods: We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis from inception until July 2024 of all randomized clinical trials (RCTs) and observational studies to date comparing the efficacy and safety of EVT plus best medical management (MM) for acute ischemic stroke due to anterior circulation LVO with large core, versus MM alone. Primary efficacy outcome was optimal functional outcome defined by a 90-day modified Rankin scale score (mRS) of 0-2.

Neuroinflammation in Acute Ischemic and Hemorrhagic Stroke.

Purpose Of Review: This review aims to provide an overview of neuroinflammation in ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke, including recent findings on the mechanisms and cellular players involved in the inflammatory response to brain injury.

Recent Findings: Neuroinflammation is a crucial process following acute ischemic stroke (AIS) and hemorrhagic stroke (HS). In AIS, neuroinflammation is initiated within minutes of the ischemia onset and continues for several days.

Household income is associated with functional outcomes in a multi-institutional cohort of patients with ischemic stroke and COVID-19.

Objectives: The COVID-19 pandemic has heightened awareness of health disparities associated with socioeconomic status (SES) across the United States. We examined whether household income is associated with functional outcomes after stroke and COVID-19.

Materials And Methods: This was a multi-institutional, retrospective cohort study of consecutively hospitalized patients with SARS-CoV-2 and radiographically confirmed stroke presenting from March through November 2020 to any of five comprehensive stroke centers in metropolitan Chicago, Illinois, USA.

Global Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Stroke Volumes and Cerebrovascular Events: A 1-Year Follow-up.

Background And Objectives: Declines in stroke admission, IV thrombolysis (IVT), and mechanical thrombectomy volumes were reported during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. There is a paucity of data on the longer-term effect of the pandemic on stroke volumes over the course of a year and through the second wave of the pandemic. We sought to measure the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the volumes of stroke admissions, intracranial hemorrhage (ICH), IVT, and mechanical thrombectomy over a 1-year period at the onset of the pandemic (March 1, 2020, to February 28, 2021) compared with the immediately preceding year (March 1, 2019, to February 29, 2020).

Recent advances in the management of transient ischemic attacks.

Transient ischemic attack (TIA) constitutes an important clinical condition, indicating the presence of considerable risk for a subsequent ischemic stroke. Its prompt diagnosis and management have the potential for reducing the risk of neurologic disability, highlighting the critical need to prioritize the care of patients with TIA. The risk of ischemic stroke following a TIA is directly related to its etiopathogenesis, and recognizable causes are commonly categorized within one of three domains: cerebrovascular pathology, cardiac dysfunction, and hematologic disorders.

Mechanical Thrombectomy vs Bridging Therapy for Anterior Circulation Large Vessel Occlusion Stroke: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Background And Objectives: Current guidelines recommend the use of mechanical thrombectomy (MT) plus IV thrombolysis (aka bridging therapy [BT]) for patients with anterior circulation large vessel occlusion (LVO) stroke. However, clinical equipoise exists in relation to the use of BT vs MT alone. Our objective is to compare the efficacy and safety of BT and MT for anterior circulation LVO.

Stroke Prevention in Cervical Artery Dissection.

Purpose Of Review: Cervical artery dissection (CAD) is rare, yet it is a common cause of stroke in young and middle-aged adults. Historically, some senior clinicians favored anticoagulation in the prevention of stroke due to CAD. Choosing the optimal antithrombotic treatment with either antiplatelet (AP) or anticoagulant (AC) medications remains a challenge.

Safety and Outcomes of Intravenous Thrombolytic Therapy in Ischemic Stroke Patients with COVID-19: CASCADE Initiative.

Background: There is little information regarding the safety of intravenous tissue plasminogen activator (IV-tPA) in patients with stroke and COVID-19.

Methods: This multicenter study included consecutive stroke patients with and without COVID-19 treated with IV-tPA between February 18, 2019, to December 31, 2020, at 9 centers participating in the CASCADE initiative. Clinical outcomes included modified Rankin Scale (mRS) at hospital discharge, in-hospital mortality, the rate of hemorrhagic transformation.

The Neurological Manifestations of Post-Acute Sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Purpose Of Review: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), is a global health challenge. This review aims to summarize the incidence, risk factors, possible pathophysiology, and proposed management of neurological manifestations of post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC) or neuro-PASC based on the published literature.

Recent Findings: The National Institutes of Health has noted that PASC is a multi-organ disorder ranging from mild symptoms to an incapacitating state that can last for weeks or longer following recovery from initial infection with SARS-CoV-2.

Global Impact of COVID-19 on Stroke Care and IV Thrombolysis.

Objective: To measure the global impact of COVID-19 pandemic on volumes of IV thrombolysis (IVT), IVT transfers, and stroke hospitalizations over 4 months at the height of the pandemic (March 1 to June 30, 2020) compared with 2 control 4-month periods.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional, observational, retrospective study across 6 continents, 70 countries, and 457 stroke centers. Diagnoses were identified by their ICD-10 codes or classifications in stroke databases.

Peripheral Nervous System Manifestations Associated with COVID-19.

Purpose Of Review: The present review discusses the peripheral nervous system (PNS) manifestations associated with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Recent Findings: Nerve pain and skeletal muscle injury, Guillain-Barré syndrome, cranial polyneuritis, neuromuscular junction disorders, neuro-ophthalmological disorders, neurosensory hearing loss, and dysautonomia have been reported as PNS manifestations in patients with COVID-19. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) causes COVID-19.

Correction to: Central Nervous System Manifestations Associated with COVID-19.

The original version contained incorrect formatting of Dr. Napolis. His first name should be Mario and his last name should be Di Napoli.

Central Nervous System Manifestations Associated with COVID-19.

Purpose Of Review: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has become a global health crisis of our time. The disease arises from severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) that binds to angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptors on host cells for its internalization. COVID-19 has a wide range of respiratory symptoms from mild to severe and affects several other organs, increasing the complexity of the treatment.

Stroke Care Trends During COVID-19 Pandemic in Zanjan Province, Iran. From the CASCADE Initiative: Statistical Analysis Plan and Preliminary Results.

Background: The emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted global healthcare systems and this may affect stroke care and outcomes. This study examines the changes in stroke epidemiology and care during the COVID-19 pandemic in Zanjan Province, Iran.

Methods: This study is part of the CASCADE international initiative.

Blood Pressure Variability: A New Predicting Factor for Clinical Outcomes of Intracerebral Hemorrhage.

Spontaneous primary intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is a stroke subtype associated with the highest mortality rate. High blood pressure (BP) is the most common cause of non-lobar ICH. Recent clinical trials have been inconclusive regarding the efficacy of aggressive BP lowering to improve ICH outcome.