COVID-19 Autoimmunity: Stroke association?
Stroke disease has been highlighted as being an unusual manifestation of COVID-19. Is there any truth to this assertion and if so could it be explained under the umbrella of autoimmunity?
Thromboembolic stroke disease (clot blocking artery to the brain) has been described in cases of COVID-19 in association with other unexplained neurological manifestations (dizziness, headache, anosmia).
World Stroke Association is not clear that there is a higher risk in COVID-19. In fact there has been a significant reduction in stroke admissions to hospitals across the world, between 50 and 80%.
When reviewing specific case studies, I have observed most had risk factors for stroke disease. In that context of becoming unwell with COVID-19, it increases pro-coagulant activity and risk of stroke.
In younger people affected by COVID-19 with a predisposition for stroke disease, myocardial involvement associated with increased clotting factors in the serum from liver inflammation can cause stroke.
In summary, the COVID-19 pandemic has been associated with globally reduced stroke admissions but in severely affected people with risk factors for stroke, there seems to be a higher risk.