Physicians in New York City, which still leads the nation in reported COVID-19 cases, are reporting significantly more acute, large vessel strokes in young adults infected with COVID-19.
"It's been surprising to learn that the virus appears to cause disease through a process of blood clotting," Oxley told Medscape Medical News.
The message for neurologists and other physicians is "we're learning that this can disproportionally affect large vessels more than small vessels in terms of presentation of stroke," he said.
Inflammation in the blood vessel walls may be driving thrombosis formation, Oxley added.
Oxley and colleagues also suggest that since the onset of the pandemic, fewer patients may be calling emergency services when they experience signs of a stroke.
The observations from Oxley and colleagues call for greater awareness of the association between COVID-19 and large vessel strokes in this age group, they add.
Oxley and colleagues dedicate their report to "our inspiring colleague Gary Sclar, MD, a stroke physician who succumbed to COVID-19 while caring for his patients.". »
