Brain magnetic resonance imaging findings six months after critical COVID-19: A prospective cohort study

SWAlexander

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Highlights


  • For all COVID-19 patients, the cerebral microbleed burden was associated with age and length of supplementary O2 treatment.

  • COVID-19 status and long-term brain MRI findings showed no association.

  • Brain MRI findings after critical COVID resemble those after high altitude disease.

Results​

Ischaemic infarctions existed in 5.8% of ICU-treated patients. Cerebral microbleeds (CMBs) existed in 27 (39.1%) ICU-treated, 13 (28.3%) ward-treated, 8 (17.4%) home-isolated COVID-19 patients, and 12 (22.6%) non-COVID controls. Patients with CMBs were older (p < 0.001), had a higher level of plasma NfL (p = 0.003), and higher supplementary oxygen days (p < 0.001). In multivariable analysis, age (OR 1.06, 95% CI 1.02–1.09) and supplementary oxygen days (OR 1.07, 95% CI 1.02–1.13) were associated with CMBs. The ICU group showed prevalent distribution of CMBs in deep regions.

Conclusion​

Age and supplementary oxygen days were independently associated with CMBs; COVID-19 status showed no association. Accumulation of risk factors in the ICU group may explain the higher prevalence of CMBs.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0883944123002514
 
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