Infección por COVID-19 y accidente cerebrovascular

The actual Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection is an ongoing pandemic, characterized by high morbidity and mortality produced by SARS-CoV-2 virus. Studies reported a stroke frequency around 5-20% in infected patients; however, SNC invasion and pathophysiological mechanisms related to stroke in COVID-19 patients are still unknown. Several studies have demonstrated that SARS-CoV-2 infection is linked to a prothrombotic state causing venous and arterial thromboembolism. Also, an overstated inflammatory response with recruitment of blood cells and disproportioned secretion of proinflammatory cytokines has been reported. Finally, cardioembolism and hypoxia have been proposed as surrogate mechanisms. It is essential to define the pathophysiological mechanisms of stroke during the infection in order to apply more specific treatments to avoid further stroke complications.