Hypercoagulability of COVID-19 and Neurological Complications: A Review

J Stroke Cerebrovasc Dis. 2022 Jan;31(1):106163. doi: 10.1016/j.jstrokecerebrovasdis.2021.106163. Epub 2021 Oct 26.

Abstract

The SARS-CoV-2 virus, which causes Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), has resulted in millions of worldwide deaths. When the SARS-CoV-2 virus emerged from Wuhan, China in December 2019, reports of patients with COVID-19 revealed that hospitalized patients had acute changes in mental status, cognition, and encephalopathy. Neurologic complications can be a consequence from overall severity of the systemic infection, direct viral invasion of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in the central nervous system, and possible immune mediated mechanisms. We will examine the landscape regarding this topic in this review in addition to current understandings of COVID-19 and hemostasis, treatment, and prevention, as well as vaccination.

Keywords: Anticoagulation; COVID-19; Neurologic outcomes; SARS-CoV-2.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Anticoagulants
  • COVID-19*
  • Central Nervous System / virology*
  • Hemostasis
  • Humans
  • Nervous System Diseases* / diagnosis
  • Nervous System Diseases* / etiology
  • SARS-CoV-2
  • Thrombophilia / diagnosis
  • Thrombophilia / prevention & control*

Substances

  • Anticoagulants