International journal of stroke : official journal of the International Stroke Society
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The COVID-19 pandemic affecting all parts of the world is having huge implications for stroke care. Not only do stroke patients appear to be more susceptible to severe infection, but the pandemic is having major implications on how we deliver stroke care, while ensuing safety of both our patients and health care professionals. ⋯ The World Stroke Organization has been monitoring the impact of the pandemic globally, and has identified an initial marked fall in stroke presentations as well as a widespread impact on stroke services. The pandemic is changing the way we deliver care, and has highlighted the enormous potential of telemedicine in stroke care.
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There is an urgent need to identify patients at high risk during the ongoing coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. Whether a history of stroke is associated with increased severity of disease or mortality is unknown. ⋯ There is a ∼2.5-fold increase in odds of severe COVID-19 illness with a history of cerebrovascular disease.