Background
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) not only caused a large surge of respiratory infections, it also had a potential association with and increases the risk of stroke. The pandemic has certainly provided new challenges and opportunities in the management of acute ischemic stroke (AIS); however, data regarding outcomes of intravenous tissue plasminogen activator (IV TPA) administration in stroke patients with COVID-19 remains limited.
Case presentation
Three AIS patients with confirmed COVID-19 treated using IV tPA. One case had excellent outcome, while the other cases showed unfavorable results. The risk–benefit ratio of IV TPA in COVID-19 remains unclear.
Conclusion
In this article, we discuss the possible explanation behind these different outcomes. Although IV tPA could not cure COVID-19, we suggest that its administration should not be delayed in AIS patients with COVID-19.
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