Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) increases the risk for thromboembolic events, such as acute ischemic stroke (AIS). Mechanical thrombectomy (MT) is a therapy of choice in early diagnosed AIS; however, its success and outcomes in COVID-19 patients are contradictory. This study presented our experience with MT performed in COVID-19 patients compared to a control group. The retrospective analysis included patients with AIS who underwent MT from April 2021 to April 2022 at our institution. There were 13 COVID-19-related patients (with active or past COVID-19 infection) and 55 non-COVID-19 patients (negative COVID-19 status). We analyzed patients’ baseline clinical and laboratory data, modified Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction (mTICI) scale, used 24 h follow-up CT findings, and modified the Rankin scale. The COVID-19 group had higher values of leukocytes, neutrophils, neutrophil/leukocyte ratios, ASL, ALT, LDH and CRP, and lower values of lymphocytes compared to the control group. The AIS mostly occurred in posterior circulation in the COVID-19 group, while anterior circulation was more affected in the control group. Treatment approach and successful reperfusion did not differ between groups. In conclusion, although differences in some clinical and laboratory parameters between COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 groups were found, the outcomes of mechanical thrombectomy were equal.

No abstract

Background: Although SARS-CoV-2 infection is primarily a respiratory illness, complications such as arterial and venous thromboembolism have been reported during acute infection and in the period after its resolution.Methods: We report the case of a 33-year-old male, previously healthy patient with acute recurrent unilateral arterial thrombosis of the leg occurring one month after a mild Covid-19 infection.Results: The patient has recently been diagnosed with essential hypertension and did not have other known risk factors for arterial thrombosis. He presented to the Emergency Department with a pale left foot and absent dorsal pedal pulse and after confirmed arterial occlusion by Doppler ultrasound, he underwent urgent thromboembolectomy. The following day a computed tomography angiogram showed recurrent thrombosis of the superficial femoral artery which was then resolved in an Angio-suite by balloon dilatation. Three months later he experienced another occlusion of the left superficial femoral artery based on pronounced neointimal hyperplasia and again underwent endarterectomy with patch plastic.Conclusion: SARS-Cov-2 infection should be considered a risk factor in the development of both arterial and venous thrombo-sis during the acute phase and in the post-infective period