SARS-CoV-2-associated cerebrovascular disease amid the COVID-19 pandemic: A systematic review

Abstract

Background: Cerebrovascular diseases associated with SARS-CoV-2 are being increasingly reported in the literature as the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic continues. However, a case-based retrospective analysis of the literature about SARS-CoV-2-cerebro-vascular disease (SCVD) is not yet well established. Thus, we reviewed the literature on SCVD covering a comprehensive range of topics spanning the clinical features, mechanism, treatment, and outcomes of patients with SCVD. Methods: We searched PubMed® and included single-case reports and case series with full text in English that reported original data of patients with CVD and a confirmed recent SARS-CoV-2 infection. Clinical data were extracted. Results: We included all 51 articles indexed in PubMed® that were published between January 1, 2020, and June 20, 2020. The selected studies reported a total of 167 cerebro-vascular events including ischemic stroke, cerebral hemorrhage, subarachnoid hemorrhage, and cerebral venous thrombosis in patients with confirmed COVID-19. The detailed demo-graphic and clinical characteristics of patients with CVD are summarized. Conclusion: This summary of patient characteristics may help clinicians better anticipate SCVD outcomes and complications in their COVID-19 patients.