Cerebrovascular Disease in COVID-19: Is There a Higher Risk of Stroke?

The presence of stroke is being observed in young adults (under 50 years of age) without cardiovascular risk factors suffering from COVID-19. It is speculated whether there is really a significant increase, as few cases have yet been described, or whether the infection actually favors their development. Cerebrovascular events were more common in older patients with stroke risk factors such as hypertension and diabetes mellitus, and those who had elevated fibrin D-dimers. Multiple cases reports and series about cerebrovascular disease in COVID-19 has been informed. The mechanism that causes cerebral ischemia in COVID-19 remains undiscovered, however, progressively there is increasing evidence of a hypercoagulable state that could be or contribute to the cause of cerebrovascular disease. We review the current literature about cerebrovascular disease, both epidemiology and etiology. More studies are needed to understand COVID-19 neuropathogenesis and the presence of stroke in this patient.