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Published on: March 28, 2025
Aortic thrombosis in COVID-19
Helena Wickham1, Jerry C H Tam1, Xin Hui S Chan1,2
1Hospital for Tropical Diseases, University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK.
Insights
Severe COVID-19 can cause arterial thrombosis, not just venous thrombo-embolism. This case highlights aortic and popliteal artery clots in a COVID-19 patient, emphasizing the need for further research into COVID-19-related clotting disorders.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Infectious Diseases
- Hematology
Background:
- Venous thrombo-embolism is a recognized complication of severe COVID-19.
- Arterial thrombosis is less recognized but increasingly reported in COVID-19 patients, often associated with myocardial infarction and stroke.
Observation:
- A 63-year-old male COVID-19 patient presented with acute limb ischemia (pale, cold foot, absent pulse).
- CT angiography revealed a large thrombus in the lower thoracic aorta and bilateral popliteal artery occlusion.
- The aortic thrombus was a new finding compared to a prior CT pulmonary angiogram.
Findings:
- This case demonstrates a rare instance of extensive arterial thrombosis (aortic and popliteal) in the context of COVID-19.
- The patient was successfully treated with low molecular weight heparin (LMWH).
Implications:
- This case underscores the diverse thrombotic complications of COVID-19, extending beyond venous events.
- There is an urgent need for pathophysiological research and clinical trials to guide thromboprophylaxis strategies in COVID-19.
- Understanding COVID-19's impact on arterial thrombosis is crucial for patient management and preventing severe outcomes.
Background:
Venous thrombo-embolism is now well-recognised as a common complication of severe COVID-19 disease. Arterial thrombosis has been less well recognised, although it is increasingly reported, mostly in the context of myocardial infarction and stroke.
Case Report:
A 63-year-old man developed a pale, cold foot with an absent dorsalis pedis pulse 7 days into his admission with COVID-19. A CT angiogram demonstrated a large thrombus in the lower thoracic aorta, which had not been present on CT pulmonary angiogram the preceding week, along with occlusion of both popliteal arteries. He was managed with therapeutic dose of low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) for 6 weeks.
Results:
This case adds to the growing list of potential sites and consequences of thrombosis in COVID-19.
Conclusion:
This case underscores the urgent need for pathophysiological studies and clinical trials to target treatments and guidelines for thromboprophylaxis in COVID-19.
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