According to a new study, the risk for acute ischemic stroke (AIS) in patients with COVID-19 seems to be significantly increased in the first 3 days following the infection.

The study included 19,553 Medicare beneficiaries, 65 years of age and older, diagnosed with COVID-19 and hospitalized with AIS. Investigators divided the study period (January 1, 2019, to February 28, 2021) into exposure or stroke risk periods after COVID diagnosis (0-3 days; 4-7 days; 8-15 days; and 15-28 days) and control periods. Strokes occurring 7 days prior to or 28 days after a COVID-19 diagnosis constituted the control period.  

The study revealed that stroke risk was higher for relatively young older adults, particularly those aged 65 to 74 years, and those who did not have a history of stroke. The incidence rate ratio (IRR) was 10.97 at 0-3 days. The risk declined after that but continued to remain higher than the control period. The IRRs were 1.59 at 4-7 days, 1.23 at 8-14 days, and 1.06 at 15-28 days.

The findings were presented during the International Stroke Conference (ISC) 2022… (Medscape)