PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Yaeger, K.A.
AU  - Fifi, J.T.
AU  - Lara-Reyna, J.
AU  - Rossitto, C.
AU  - Ladner, T.
AU  - Yim, B.
AU  - Hardigan, T.
AU  - Maragkos, G.A.
AU  - Shigematsu, T.
AU  - Majidi, S.
AU  - Mocco, J.
TI  - Initial Stroke Thrombectomy Experience in New York City during the COVID-19 Pandemic
AID  - 10.3174/ajnr.A6652
DP  - 2020 Jul 02
TA  - American Journal of Neuroradiology
4099  - http://www.ajnr.org/content/early/2020/07/02/ajnr.A6652.short
4100  - http://www.ajnr.org/content/early/2020/07/02/ajnr.A6652.full
AB  - SUMMARY: New York City has become the global epicenter of the coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Despite a massive shift in health care resources, cerebrovascular disease continues to be a substantial burden. We review the first 10 patients undergoing thrombectomy following a series of governmental and institutional policy changes diverting resources to the care of critically ill patients with COVID-19. Ten patients with emergent large-vessel occlusion underwent thrombectomy between March 23 and April 1, 2020. Five patients tested positive for the COVID-19 virus. Successful reperfusion was achieved in 9 of 10 patients, at a median time of 37 minutes from vascular access. The postprocedural NIHSS score improved by an average of 7.7 points. Of the 5 patients positive for COVID-19, none have experienced a critical respiratory illness. We report the early incidence of COVID-19 positivity in patients with emergent large-vessel occlusion and demonstrate that thrombectomy continues to be an efficacious option, as well as safe for health care providers.COVID-19coronavirus 2019ELVOemergent large-vessel occlusionPPEpersonal protective equipmentPUIpatients under investigation for COVID-19