Ischemic Stroke in a Patient with Stable CADASIL during COVID-19: A Case Report

• Published in: Brain Sciences
• Main Authors: Alessandro Cruciani, Fabio Pilato, Mariagrazia Rossi, Francesco Motolese, Vincenzo Di Lazzaro, Fioravante Capone
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2021-12-01
• Subjects: cerebral autosomal dominant arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy (CADASIL); stroke; hypercoagulability; COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; endothelial dysfunction
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3425/11/12/1615

Background: SARS-CoV-2 infection has been associated with different neurological conditions such as Guillain-Barré, encephalitis and stroke. Cerebral autosomal dominant arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy (CADASIL) is an inherited small-vessel disease characterized by recurrent ischemic stroke, cognitive decline, migraine and mood disturbances. One of the mechanisms involved in CADASIL pathogenesis is endothelial dysfunction, which causes an increased risk of recurrent strokes. Since COVID-19 infection is also associated with coagulopathy and endothelial dysfunction, the risk of ischemic stroke might be even higher in this population. We describe the case of a CADASIL patient who developed an acute ischemic stroke after SARS-CoV-2 infection. In patients with diseases causing endothelial dysregulation, such as CADASIL, the hypercoagulability related to COVID-19 may contribute to the risk of stroke recurrence.