Abstract
The outbreak of COVID-19 has posed a significant challenge to global healthcare. Acute stroke care requires rapid bedside attendance, imaging, and intervention. However, for acute stroke patients who have a diagnosis of or are under investigation for COVID-19, the concern for nosocomial transmission moderates operational procedures for acute stroke care. We present our experience with an in-hospital stroke code called on a COVID-19-positive patient with a left middle cerebral artery syndrome and the challenges faced for timely examination, imaging, and decision to intervene. The outlook for the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic necessitates the development of protocols to sustain timely and effective acute stroke care while mitigating healthcare-associated transmission.
Highlights
Rapid attendance at the patient bedside, clinical exam, and timely imaging studies have been emphasized in the care of acute ischemic stroke patients, but the global pandemic outbreak of COVID-19 (1) has created novel and significant challenges to acute stroke care
A patient in his 8th decade of life was admitted to our facility with acute chest pain, diaphoresis, and hypotension with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI)
He underwent coronary angioplasty followed by stent deployment and was admitted to the coronary care unit (CCU)
Summary
Rapid attendance at the patient bedside, clinical exam, and timely imaging studies have been emphasized in the care of acute ischemic stroke patients, but the global pandemic outbreak of COVID-19 (1) has created novel and significant challenges to acute stroke care. Protocols to sustain acute stroke care for COVID-19 patients while mitigating nosocomial transmission are needed. We share unique challenges in treating a COVID-19-positive patient with acute ischemic stroke due to occlusion of the left middle cerebral artery.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
