Neurological complications of COVID-19

Excerpt

There is growing recognition that severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection can lead to both acute and long-term neurological sequelae [1]. In addition to the neurological consequences of severe illness in itself, proposed mechanisms of SARS-CoV-2-associated neurological complications include direct neuroinvasion, and indirect mechanisms, of vascular and inflammatory/autoimmune origin (Fig. 1). The identification and diagnosis of these neurological complications are challenging, particularly in the context of overstrained medical systems, where an under-recognition of neurological manifestations may contribute to an increase in acute and long-term complications and poor outcomes. In addition, there is a high incidence of general critical care complications, for example, hypoxia, metabolic derangements, general inflammation, and drug toxicity/side effects, which can make proper attribution to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) difficult. We discuss the neurological complications associated with COVID-19 (NeuroCOVID) for general intensivists with an emphasis on key symptoms and signs to look for which may change management and/or provide a potential avenue for targeted therapies to improve outcomes.

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