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Thromboembolic Disease in COVID-19
Tara Tarmey1, Grace Cullen2, Tanay Y Patel3
1Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, United States.
Journal of Clinical Imaging Science
|April 21, 2021
Summary
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) can lead to severe respiratory issues and an increased risk of blood clots like pulmonary embolism and deep vein thrombosis. Vigilance is crucial for diagnosing these often silent thrombotic complications in COVID-19 patients.
Area of Science:
- Medicine
- Infectious Diseases
- Pulmonology
Background:
- Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) rapidly became a global pandemic.
- While many COVID-19 cases present with mild or no symptoms, severe respiratory dysfunction is a major cause of mortality.
- An emerging concern is the increased incidence of thrombotic events in patients with COVID-19.
Observation:
- This series presents cases of patients experiencing both COVID-19 pneumonia and venous thromboembolism concurrently.
- These thromboembolic events included conditions such as pulmonary embolism and deep vein thrombosis.
- The study notes that these complications can be clinically silent, making them easily missed.
Findings:
- COVID-19 is associated with a higher risk of developing venous thromboembolism.
- Concomitant diagnosis of COVID-19 pneumonia and venous thromboembolism is highlighted.
- The clinical presentation of these thrombotic events can be subtle or absent.
Implications:
- Increased clinical and radiological vigilance is necessary for early detection of thromboembolism in COVID-19 patients.
- Prompt diagnosis and management of venous thromboembolism are critical for improving outcomes in severe COVID-19.
- Further research into the mechanisms linking COVID-19 and thrombosis is warranted.
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