PURPOSE:

The global pandemic of COVID-19 has imposed new challenges for the attention of patients with ischemic stroke and large vessel occlusion. Endovascular treatment with mechanical thrombectomy is the therapy of choice for these patients. The recommendations intend to maintain the efficacy, times and safety of the intervention following the new biosafety measures.

METHODOLOGY:

A non-systematic review of the literature on endovascular management for ischemic stroke in the pre-COVID-19 period and during the COVID-19 pandemic. The aspects of the intervention, modified in the author's opinion, are presented in the form of narrative recommendations.

RESULTS:

Three phases were identified in the endovascular management for cerebral infarction: Pre-intervention, intervention, and post-intervention. The first one includes candidate selection, screening for COVID-19, informed consent, notification-preparation of the team/suite and anesthetic modality. For the other two phases general recommendations were developed. Finally, we identified key points for decision-making in the endovascular management of ischemic stroke.

CONCLUSION:

These recommendations pretend to facilitate adaptations of protocols, avoid delays and maintain the safety of endovascular intervention in patients with ischemic stroke with large vessel occlusion candidates for mechanical thrombectomy during COVID-19 pandemic.

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