Stroke priorities during COVID-19 outbreak: acting both fast and safe

J Stroke Cerebrovasc Dis. 2020 Aug;29(8):104922. doi: 10.1016/j.jstrokecerebrovasdis.2020.104922. Epub 2020 May 6.

Abstract

While the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) spreads all over the world, the healthcare systems are facing the dramatic challenge of simultaneously fight against the outbreak and life-threating emergencies. In this biological setting, emergency departments and neurovascular teams are exposed to high risk of infection and should therefore be prepared to deal with neurological emergencies safely. The purpose of this article is to analyze the current evidence on COVID-19 in the context of acute ischemic stroke and to describe the model of behavior we are putting into action to maintain the stroke pathway both rapid for the patient and safe for the healthcare professionals. We reserve a specific focus on personal protection equipment, dress code and healthcare professional behavior.

Keywords: Acute stroke therapy; Coronavirus; Intervention; Ischaemic stroke; Pandemic; Stroke; Stroke teams; Thrombolysis.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Betacoronavirus / pathogenicity*
  • Brain Ischemia / diagnostic imaging
  • Brain Ischemia / therapy*
  • COVID-19
  • Coronavirus Infections / diagnosis
  • Coronavirus Infections / prevention & control*
  • Coronavirus Infections / transmission
  • Coronavirus Infections / virology
  • Health Services Needs and Demand*
  • Host Microbial Interactions
  • Humans
  • Infection Control*
  • Infectious Disease Transmission, Patient-to-Professional / prevention & control
  • Infectious Disease Transmission, Professional-to-Patient / prevention & control
  • Needs Assessment*
  • Occupational Exposure / adverse effects
  • Occupational Exposure / prevention & control
  • Occupational Health
  • Pandemics / prevention & control*
  • Patient Safety
  • Pneumonia, Viral / diagnosis
  • Pneumonia, Viral / prevention & control*
  • Pneumonia, Viral / transmission
  • Pneumonia, Viral / virology
  • Risk Assessment
  • Risk Factors
  • SARS-CoV-2
  • Stroke / diagnostic imaging
  • Stroke / therapy*