Objective To measure the global impact of COVID-19 pandemic on volumes of IV thrombolysis (IVT), IVT transfers, and stroke hospitalizations over 4 months at the height of the pandemic (March 1 to June 30, 2020) compared with 2 control 4-month periods. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional, observational, retrospective study across 6 continents, 70 countries, and 457 stroke centers. Diagnoses were identified by their ICD-10 codes or classifications in stroke databases. Results There were 91,373 stroke admissions in the 4 months immediately before compared to 80,894 admissions during the pandemic months, representing an 11.5% (95% confidence interval [CI] −11.7 to −11.3, p < 0.0001) decline. There were 13,334 IVT therapies in the 4 months preceding compared to 11,570 procedures during the pandemic, representing a 13.2% (95% CI −13.8 to −12.7, p < 0.0001) drop. Interfacility IVT transfers decreased from 1,337 to 1,178, or an 11.9% decrease (95% CI −13.7 to −10.3, p = 0.001). Recovery of stroke hospitalization volume (9.5%, 95% CI 9.2–9.8, p < 0.0001) was noted over the 2 later (May, June) vs the 2 earlier (March, April) pandemic months. There was a 1.48% stroke rate across 119,967 COVID-19 hospitalizations. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection was noted in 3.3% (1,722/52,026) of all stroke admissions. Conclusions The COVID-19 pandemic was associated with a global decline in the volume of stroke hospitalizations, IVT, and interfacility IVT transfers. Primary stroke centers and centers with higher COVID-19 inpatient volumes experienced steeper declines. Recovery of stroke hospitalization was noted in the later pandemic months.

Background and Purpose—The purpose of this study was to describe typical ultrasonographic findings of vertebral arteries in patients affected by giant cell arteritis. Methods—Color duplex sonography was used to asses the cervical arteries within 24 hours from stroke onset in 1237 patients. Vertebral arteritis was considered if concentric, homogeneous, and smooth hypoechogenic mural thickening (the so-called halo sign) was present in at least 1 cervical segment of the vertebral artery. If the patient showed such findings, an ultrasound examination of the temporal artery was also performed. Patients with probable giant cell arteritis were treated with high-dose intravenous methylprednisolone in association with antiplatelet therapy. Temporal artery biopsy was carried out by a vascular surgeon in the site targeted by the ultrasonographer. Results—Five patients were diagnosed as having vertebral arteritis according to ultrasound criteria. All of them had initial neurological deficit due to infarctions affecting the vertebrobasilar territory. One patient died due to aspiration pneumonia, whereas the others were independent at discharge. All patients had a positive biopsy for giant cell arteritis. Conclusions—Vertebral artery involvement in giant cell arteritis may be suspected by color duplex sonography. This fact would allow a prompt diagnosis and treatment of this otherwise fatal disease. Because duplex ultrasonography is a usual test performed on patients with stroke, the recognition of the halo sign in vertebral arteries may be of crucial interest in selected cases.

Case report from JAMA Neurology — Lateral Medullary Syndrome and Ipsilateral Hemiplegia (Opalski Syndrome) Due to Left Vertebral Artery Dissection

Cerebral vasculopathy have been described in Fabry disease, in which altered cerebral blood flow, vascular remodelling or impairment of endothelial function could be involved. Our study aims to evaluate these three possibilities in a group of Fabry patients, and compare it to healthy controls.