COVID-19-SSSOCIETED STROKE

Authors:

IA Shchukin, 1 MS Fidler, 1 IA Koltsov, 1 and A. Yu. Suvorov2

Translated from Zhurnal Nevrologii i Psikhiatrii imeni SS Korsakova, Vol. 121, No. 12, Iss. 2, pp. 69–76,
December, 2021. Original article submitted December 20, 2021. Accepted December 22, 2021.

Publication location:
Neuroscience and Behavioral Physiology, Vol. 52, No. 5, June 2022

Summary:
The COVID-19 pandemic has had signifi cant infl uences on the incidence of acute cerebrovascular accidents and the structure of mortality. SARS-CoV-2 increases the risks of developing both ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke. The key pathogenetic element underlying the development of cerebral stroke in COVID-19 consists of impairments to the operation of angiotensin 2 receptors, which are accompanied by accumulation of excess quantities of angiotensin 2, endothelial dysfunction, hypercoagulation, overproduction of proinflammatory cytokines, and an oxidative storm. In patients with stroke and COVID-19, lesion severity is associated with dual mechanisms of ischemia – systemic and cerebral. The possibilities of medication-based correction of both systemic impairments associated with coronavirus infection and local impairments due to ischemic or hemorrhagic brain damage, are limited. Substances with antioxidant activity may potentially be effective in patients with stroke and COVID-19. Data from a number of clinical trials indicate that Mexidol signifi cantly improves functional outcomes in ischemic stroke. Use of Mexidol in patients with stroke and COVID-19 is advised. Keywords: ischemic stroke, coronavirus infection, angiotensin receptors, cytokine storm, oxidative stress, Mexidol.