PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - T.M. Leslie-Mazwi
AU  - K.M. Fargen
AU  - M. Levitt
AU  - C.P. Derdeyn
AU  - S.K. Feske
AU  - A.B. Patel
AU  - J.A. Hirsch
TI  - Preserving Access: A Review of Stroke Thrombectomy during the COVID-19 Pandemic
AID  - 10.3174/ajnr.A6606
DP  - 2020 May 21
TA  - American Journal of Neuroradiology
4099  - http://www.ajnr.org/content/early/2020/05/21/ajnr.A6606.short
4100  - http://www.ajnr.org/content/early/2020/05/21/ajnr.A6606.full
AB  - SUMMARY: Thrombectomy for large-vessel-occlusion stroke is a highly impactful treatment. The spread of coronavirus 19 (COVID-19) across the United States and the globe impacts access to this crucial intervention through widespread societal and institutional changes. In this document, we review the implications of COVID-19 on the emergency care of large-vessel occlusion stroke, reviewing specific infection-control recommendations, available literature, existing resources, and expert consensus. As a population, patients with large-vessel occlusion stroke face unique challenges during pandemics. These are broad in scope. Responses to these challenges through adaptation of stroke systems of care and with imaging, thrombectomy, and postprocedural care are detailed. Preservation of access to thrombectomy must be prioritized for its public health impact. While the extent of required changes will vary by region, tiered planning for both escalation and de-escalation of measures must be a part of each practice. In addition, preparations described serve as templates in the event of future pandemics.ACE2angiotensin-converting enzyme 2COVID-19coronavirus disease 19ICUintensive care unitLVOlarge-vessel occlusionPPEpersonal protective equipmentSARS-CoV-2Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus 2