COVID-19 as a trigger for acute stroke in patients with undiagnosed patent foramen ovale and thrombophilia

Abstract

Introduction: COVID-19 is an infection caused by the new coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2). The disease most commonly presents with respiratory symptoms but can cause serious complications including acute ischemic stroke (AIS). Objective: to present the complexity of risk factor interactions in developing AIM after COVID-19. Case report: A 28-year-old man developed an AIS two and a half months after being sick with COVID-19. He had been taking anticoagulant therapy to treat high D-dimer values, which was later replaced with antiplatelet therapy. Physical examination showed left-side paralysis. After recanalization therapy, the neurologic deficit was no longer present. Computerized tomography (CT) revealed a fresh ischemic lesion in the frontal region. Further investigation revealed a patent foramen ovale (PFO) and congenital thrombophilia in this patient. Conclusion: As the role of individual risk factors in the development of AIS is unclear, this case should be investigated further. There is a risk of developing AIS even after mild cases of COVID-19.

Keywords

• covid-19
• ais
• thrombophilia