Surgeons from the University of Thomas Jefferson and the Medical Center at New York University (USA) found that COVID-19 can increase the risk of severe stroke in young and middle-aged patients. This was reported by the journal Neurosurgery.
"We observed in 30-, 40-, and 50-year-old patients extensive strokes that usually occur in patients aged 70-80," said Dr. Pascal Jabbur, head of the Department of Neurovascular and Endovascular Surgery at the Institute of Neurology. Vicki and Jack Farber at Thomas Jefferson University.
Relatively young American patients with extensive strokes and with a positive COVID-19 test result caused serious concern for doctors, despite the fact that, from a statistical point of view, the sample they made was not considered representative.
“Although we must emphasize that our findings are preliminary and based on observation of 14 patients, the results are worrying. Young people who are not aware of their coronavirus infection will develop blood clots that lead to severe strokes, ”said Dr. Jabbur.
- Reuters
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American doctors pointed out the special danger of a combination of two diseases: if mortality from stroke is on average 5-10%, then in patients with stroke and COVID-19 it reached 42.8%. Researchers also noticed that with coronavirus infection, a stroke occurs in a very acute form: a stroke affects arteries, veins and large vessels in both hemispheres of the brain.
Another problem that doctors face is that often patients with stroke symptoms are in no hurry to consult doctors because of the risk of coronavirus infection.
According to Dr. Jabbur and his colleagues, the effect of coronavirus on the occurrence of strokes may be associated with the ACE2 receptor. The virus uses this membrane protein to enter the cell. ACE2 is common in the cells of blood vessels, heart, kidneys and lungs. Doctors have suggested that the virus disrupts the normal function of the receptor and causes a general malfunction in the organs. According to them, coronavirus can cause inflammation of blood vessel cells, which leads to thrombosis.
“Although the results of our observations are preliminary, they can serve as a warning for medical staff and for those who are at home. A stroke occurs in those who do not know that he has COVID-19, as well as in those who feel unwell due to infection. We need to be vigilant and respond promptly when signs of a stroke appear, ”concluded Dr. Jabbur.