The role of COVID-19 disease in etiology as a stroke risk factor and effect on mortality

Objective: Stroke is the third most common cause of death after cardiovascular diseases and cancers withal is the most common cause of disability. Since the emergence of Covid-19 pandemic, several cases of stroke have been reported in SARS-CoV-2 infected individuals. The aim of this study is to define the effects of Covid-19 in patients with acute stroke and to acquire information that can be an indicator of prognosis. Material and Methods: The study was single-center, retrospective and included patients diagnosed with acute stroke who were refered to Adana City Training and Research Hospital Emergency Service between March 1, 2020 and December 31, 2020. Demographic information, hematological parameters, examination findings, stroke subgroups according to TOAST classification, NIHSS, hospitalization duration and mortality were evaluated for all patients. Results: 68 (30.9%) patients included in the study were diagnosed with Covid-19. NLR, ferritin, creatinine, albumin, CRP, ALT, AST, LDH, PT, INR, aPTT, fibrinogen, procalcitonin, troponin, D-Dimer levels in stroke patients diagnosed with Covid-19 were found significantly higher. It was observed that patients had a stroke on average 8.36±6.66 days after diagnosis Covid-19. In the same group, the rate of intensive care duration and hospitalization duration were also increased. In addition, the mortality rate was higher. NIHSS has been found to be the most reliable parameter in predicting mortality in patients with stroke. Conclusion: In conclusion, Covid-19 aggravates the course of the disease and increases the risk of mortality in stroke patients. Mortality and prognosis can be predicted with many cheaper rapid tests, especially NİHSS.