An Atypical Presentation of Acute Ischemic Stroke in COVID 19 Patient

Novel corona virus 2019 also known as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 [SARS COV2] is enveloped non segmented ribonucleic acid (RNA) virus. Acute ischemic stroke remains emergency during covid19 pandemic [1]. Thrombectomy also plays a crucial role in treating acute stroke patients. Here we present a case of a woman with COVID 19 who presented to us with symptoms of altered state of consciousness (ASOC), cough, fever, dysarthria, right sided body weakness and massive bilateral middle cerebral artery (MCA)/ anterior. Our case was unique in the sense that it showed drastic central nervous system (CNS) damage in the presence of coronavirus infection. There are a few cases of patients who develop stroke after COVID 19 infection.

Aims: Clinicians need to be aware of possible causes of unconsciousness in coronavirus disease (COVID 19) patients, particularly as delirium appears to be common complications to find out the association between stroke and COVID 19 and its impact and mortality.

Case Presentation: A 70 years old lady presented to us with symptoms of stroke like ASOC, right sided body weakness, dysarthria and symptoms of pneumonia like mild cough and fever later which turned out to be COVID 19. Clinicians need to be aware of possible causes of unconsciousness in coronavirus disease (COVID 19) patients, particularly as delirium appears to be common complications to find out the association between stroke and COVID 19 and its impact and mortality.

Discussion: Bilateral ischemic stroke is relatively uncommon presentation in general population and is usually the result of cardio embolic cause such as atrial fibrillation and recent myocardial infarction. While this patient had pre existing risk factors for stroke such as type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension and old age and her electrocardiography showed sinus rhythm.

Conclusion: COVID-19 may be a risk factor or aggravating factor for stroke.