Epidemiology and Management of Cerebral Venous Thrombosis during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Cerebral Vasomotor Reactivity in COVID-19: A Narrative Review

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) primarily affects the respiratory system but can also lead to neurological complications. Among COVID-19 patients, the endothelium is considered the Achilles heel. A variety of endothelial dysfunctions may result from SARS-CoV-2 infection and subsequent endotheliitis, such as altered vascular tone, oxidative stress, and cytokine storms. The cerebral hemodynamic impairment that is caused is associated with a higher probability of severe disease and poor outcomes in patients with COVID-19. This review summarizes the most relevant literature on the role of vasomotor reactivity (VMR) in COVID-19 patients. An overview of the research articles is presented. Most of the studies have supported the hypothesis that endothelial dysfunction and cerebral VMR impairment occur in COVID-19 patients. Researchers believe these alterations may be due to direct viral invasion of the brain or indirect effects, such as inflammation and cytokines. Recently, researchers have concluded that viruses such as the Human Herpes Virus 8 and the Hantavirus predominantly affect endothelial cells and, therefore, affect cerebral hemodynamics. Especially in COVID-19 patients, impaired VMR is associated with a higher risk of severe disease and poor outcomes. Using VMR, one can gain valuable insight into a patient's disease progression and make more informed decisions regarding appropriate treatment options. A new pandemic may develop with the COVID-19 virus or other viruses, making it essential that healthcare providers and researchers remain focused on developing new strategies for improving survival in such patients, particularly those with cerebrovascular risk factors.

Comparative Study of Cerebral Venous Thrombosis-Risk Factors, Clinical Course, and Outcome in Subjects with and without COVID-19 Infection

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE

Cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT) has been increasingly reported in patients with COVID-19. Most published literature is descriptive and focuses only on CVT in COVID-19 patients. The objective of our study was to compare CVT patients' characteristics with and without an associated COVID-19 infection.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This is a retrospective cross-sectional study. All adult patients with a confirmed diagnosis of CVT admitted to our hospital over a period of 30 months, from January 2019 to June 2021, were included. They were further divided into two groups, with and without COVID-19 infection.

RESULTS

A total of 115 CVT patients were included, 93 in non-COVID-CVT and 22 in COVID-CVT group. COVID-CVT patients were male predominant and of older age, with longer hospital stay, and higher inpatient mortality. COVID-CVT patients presented with a higher frequency of headache (82% vs. 63%), seizures (64% vs. 37%, p = 0.03), hemiparesis (41% vs. 24%), and visual changes (36% vs. 19%) as compared to non-COVID-CVT patients. Venogram showed a higher frequency of superior sagittal sinus (64% vs. 42%) and internal jugular vein (23% vs. 12%) involvement in the COVID-CVT cohort. More than 90% of patients in both groups received therapeutic anticoagulation. Mortality rates were higher in COVID-CVT group (18% vs. 11%).

CONCLUSION

COVID-CVT patients were male predominant and of older age, with higher hospital stay, and higher inpatient mortality as compared to non-COVID-CVT patients.