Medicus, Vol. 29 No. 2 COVID-19, 2020.
Review article
COVID-19 and the Stroke Patient
Arijana Lovrenčić-Huzjan
Abstract
The Republic of Croatia has declared a risk of COVID-19 outbreaks throughout the country. The Croatian health system, healthcare professionals and resources are thus focused on the fight against the virus. Establishments and additional facilities are being set up as respiratory centers for the care of COVID-19 patients, as well as other locations to treat patients with acute neurological diseases and conditions such as stroke. The effects of COVID-19 infection on stroke is currently unknown, but more severe disease presentation is expected. Although people affected by infectious diseases such as COVID-19 are expected to be at increased risk of ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke, there is an unexpected decrease in the number of stroke patients in emergency services worldwide. It is presumed that patients with milder symptoms or transient ischemic attack are at home because they are required to do so, as well as limit emergency room visits and minimize travel. The patients’ own priority is to avoid contagion, and so they most often stay at home. The organization of the service in the Republic of Croatia is focused on the active treatment of stroke patients in comprehensive stroke centers according to defined protocols, regardless of the status of the COVID-19 infection. Secondary stroke prevention begins, and the tendency is to direct patients to rehabilitation in order to reduce disability. The organization of the service should allow for non-face-to-face patient control visits, which may take place over the phone or via telemedicine - which requires IT support. This would protect patients from infection and check that they comply with the control of risk factors.
Keywords
COVID-19; stroke; telemedicine
Hrčak ID:
244335
URI
Publication date:
30.9.2020.
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