Portal thrombosis in a patient with SARS-CoV-2 infection

David Ortiz López1, Alicia Puente Fernández2, Isabel Ramos Gómez2

  • 1Cirugía General y del Aparato Digestivo, Hospital Universitario de Gran Canaria Dr. Negrín, España.

Insights

Severe COVID-19 can rarely cause portal vein thrombosis, a serious condition affecting blood flow in the liver. This case highlights the need to consider SARS-CoV-2 as a potential cause for this rare complication.

Area of Science:

  • Gastroenterology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Vascular Medicine

Background:

  • Digestive symptoms are common but nonspecific in SARS-CoV-2 infections.
  • Portal vein thrombosis is an exceptionally rare manifestation of COVID-19.

Observation:

  • A patient with severe SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia presented with elevated D-Dimer levels.
  • The patient was diagnosed with acute portal thrombosis without other identifiable causes.

Findings:

  • This case suggests a potential link between SARS-CoV-2 infection and the development of portal vein thrombosis.
  • Elevated D-Dimer levels in COVID-19 patients may indicate an increased risk for thrombotic events.

Implications:

  • Clinicians should consider SARS-CoV-2 infection in the differential diagnosis of unexplained portal thrombosis.
  • Further research is warranted to understand the pathophysiology and incidence of portal vein thrombosis in COVID-19 patients.

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