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Published on: December 19, 2020
Phlegmasia cerulea dolens superimposed on disseminated intravascular coagulation in COVID-19
Daniele Orso1, Lisa Mattuzzi2, Sara Scapol3
1University of Udine. sd7782.do@gmail.com.
Insights
Severe COVID-19 can cause rare, life-threatening phlegmasia cerulea dolens (PCD) even with anticoagulation. This case highlights COVID-19
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Hematology
Background:
- COVID-19 is linked to cardiovascular complications, including coagulopathy.
- Elevated fibrinogen and D-dimer levels are common in COVID-19 patients, increasing adverse event risk.
- Phlegmasia cerulea dolens (PCD) is a rare, severe form of deep vein thrombosis.
Observation:
- A 64-year-old patient with severe COVID-19 pneumonia developed PCD.
- The patient exhibited persistently elevated activated partial thromboplastin time and international normalized ratio.
- This occurred despite ongoing anticoagulation therapy.
Findings:
- This case presents a rare instance of COVID-19 associated with PCD.
- It occurred despite the patient having indicators of anticoagulation (elevated aPTT and INR).
- This challenges the typical understanding of thrombosis risk in COVID-19.
Implications:
- Highlights the complex coagulopathy associated with COVID-19.
- Suggests that severe COVID-19 may predispose to rare thrombotic events like PCD.
- Underscores the need for vigilance in managing thrombosis in COVID-19 patients, even with anticoagulation.
Abstract:
COVID-19 infection has several cardiovascular implications, and coagulopathy is a common abnormality in these patients, often coupled with elevated plasma fibrinogen and D-dimer levels, contributing to adverse outcomes. Phlegmasia cerulea dolens (PCD) is a rare manifestation of deep vein thrombosis. It is life-threatening and can rapidly lead to venous gangrene of the extremity. Only a few cases of COVID-19 associated with PCD are reported in the literature, despite thromboembolism being the common paradigm between the two diseases. We present the case of a 64-year-old adult with acute severe COVID-19 pneumonia who developed PCD despite constantly elevated activated partial thromboplastin time and international normalized ratio.
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