Case Report: COVID-19 Infection and Cervical Artery Dissection

A 45-year-old woman presented 3 days after symptom resolution from a COVID-19 infection with a left vertebral artery dissection with no known preceding trauma or underlying disposition. She subsequently suffered a left lateral medullary stroke 15 hours after her initial presentation. Cervical artery dissections (CeAD) can occur in the absence of trauma, and in some cases, infection may be a contributing factor. COVID-19 infection can cause an endotheliopathy and inflammatory response, which may contribute to intimal vessel disruption. Whether COVID-19 infection can contribute to CeAD and subsequent stroke is discussed, along with other considerations regarding the pathogenesis of CeAD.

Automated summary

This article reports a case of COVID-19 infection-induced vertebral artery dissection and lateral medullary stroke, highlighting the potential role of infection in contributing to certain cases of CeAD. COVID-19 infection can cause endothelial dysfunction and inflammatory response, leading to vascular damage.