A case report overlapped vaccine and COVID-19 in disseminated atherosclerosis

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Immunology
• Vascular Medicine

Background:

• Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is associated with severe thrombotic events.
• Vaccination is a primary strategy for managing COVID-19.
• Thrombosis is a known, albeit rare, complication post-vaccination.

Observation:

• A 65-year-old female with disseminated atherosclerosis presented with dyspnea and dysphasia.
• The patient had active COVID-19 and received vaccination two weeks prior.
• Physical examination revealed absent lower extremity pulses, indicating potential arterial occlusion.

Findings:

• Imaging and blood tests revealed multiple thrombotic complications: embolic stroke, venous and arterial thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, and pericarditis.
• The case illustrates a catastrophic thrombotic event in a patient with multiple predisposing factors.
• This presentation underscores the complex interplay between COVID-19, vaccination, and underlying atherosclerosis in thrombosis development.

Implications:

• The case suggests a need for further investigation into anticoagulant therapy in high-risk patients post-vaccination.
• Consideration of prophylactic anticoagulation in patients with atherosclerosis and recent COVID-19 infection warrants discussion.
• This case highlights the importance of individualized risk assessment for thrombotic events in the context of COVID-19 and vaccination.