key: cord-0838003-b5p21kom
authors: Kugasia, Irfanali Rajabali; Ijaz, Mohsin; Khan, Ahsan; Jalil, Bilal Athar
title: A rare case of multiple aortic thromboses associated with severe COVID-19 infection
date: 2021-05-26
journal: BMJ Case Rep
DOI: 10.1136/bcr-2021-242196
sha: bcab5e7444b10ea29597e1b9eb31b960cf7224f8
doc_id: 838003
cord_uid: b5p21kom

nan

A 56-year-old woman with a medical history of hypothyroidism, major depression, iron deficiency anaemia, vitamin D deficiency and postherpetic neuralgia presented to the hospital after a fall with worsening dyspnoea for 2 days. She also reported ongoing fevers and malaise for the last 7 days. On examination, the patient was tachypnoeic, hypoxemic and febrile. Initial investigations revealed multilobar ground-glass infiltrates on the chest X-ray and positive test for COVID-19 on real-time PCR assay. CT of the head and cervical spine performed due to her recent fall were unremarkable.

Treatment was initiated with remdesivir and dexamethasone for COVID-19 and ceftriaxone for secondary bacterial infection coverage. She became progressively more hypoxemic and delirious requiring eventual orotracheal intubation. Laboratory test showed elevated D-dimer of 1.58 µg/mL with normal platelet count of 304×10 9 /µL and prothrombin time was 11 s, stable low haemoglobin level of 95 g/L. Peripheral smear was negative for schistocytes which made disseminated intravascular coagulation less likely. All four extremities of the patient with palpable pulses were without any oedema. Bilateral lower extremity Doppler results were negative for venous thrombosis. CT angiogram of the chest, performed after the patient was stabilised, was negative for pulmonary embolism but did demonstrate aortic thrombosis in the arch of the aorta and descending thoracic aorta (figure 1 and video 1). CT of the head showed no signs of large ischaemic thromboembolic strokes. ECG showed sinus tachycardia. Echocardiogram revealed normal left ventricular and right ventricular function and size without any thrombosis and normal valve functions. Enoxaparin 1 mg/kg every 12 hours was initiated but later switched to intravenous heparin due to worsening acute renal failure. The patient did not develop any overt arterial or venous thromboembolic events so no surgical interventions were required. She developed post-critical illness neuromyopathy eventually needing a tracheostomy and percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy tube placement. Anticoagulant was transitioned to apixaban, and the patient was discharged to rehabilitation centre with outpatient evaluation by a cardiovascular surgeon after 6 months of anticoagulation.

COVID-19 infection is associated with increased risk of venous thromboembolism. Though less frequent, arterial thrombosis and subsequent embolic events have been reported, with a pooled incidence of 4.4% in critically ill patients with COVID-19 and occurred most commonly in the extremities and cerebral vessels. 1 Of all reported arterial thrombosis cases associated with COVID-19, incidence of great vessel involvement has been estimated to be around 19%. 1 Underlying cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, atrial fibrillation and chronic kidney disease have been documented as risk factors for developing thrombosis with COVID-19 infection. 1 2 Ascending aortic thrombosis is extremely rare due to higher pressures and blood flow but has been reported associated with embolic phenomena. 3 COVID-19 causes a hypercoagulable state via multiple mechanisms including a profound systemic inflammatory response and cytokine storm, evidenced by increased D-dimer, prothrombin and fibrinogen levels. 1 These effects, along with prolonged immobilisation, complete Virchow's triad. Our patient's only known thrombotic risk was severe COVID-19 infection and associated inflammatory response. The identified thromboses were attached to the endothelium, suggesting that diffuse endotheliitis could have promoted their development. 4 Surgical interventions are warranted 

if there are systemic embolic complications from aortic thromboses. 3 Given these were not identified in this case and in view of the patient's critical illness, the treating physicians decided against the surgical intervention.

The patient's husband stated, "Nine years ago, the patient was in a major car accident and had poly trauma and she was able to survive that after many months of hospital and rehabilitation stay. I knows she is very sick, but I am very hopeful and staying positive and know my wife will survive this severe COVID-19 disease and complications associated with it. All the family and friends have been praying for her and ever since she has been in the hospital in the ICU, every night I call her on the speaker phone and whole family speaks to her and ICU nurse helps us with this phone call."

► COVID-19 is a hypercoagulable state that can be associated with arterial thrombosis in rare cases. ► The presence of thromboembolic phenomenon should increase the suspicion of arterial thrombosis in patients with COVID-19. ► Clinicians should be vigilant for both arterial and venous thromboses in patients with COVID-19, despite administration of pharmacological thromboembolism prophylaxis.

Arterial thrombosis in coronavirus disease 2019 patients: a rapid systematic review

Severe arterial thrombosis associated with Covid-19 infection

Ascending aortic thrombus with multiple emboli associated with COVID-19

Endotheliitis and endothelial dysfunction in patients with COVID-19: its role in thrombosis and adverse outcomes

Acknowledgements We, the authors, acknowledge all of the frontline workers in

This article is made freely available for use in accordance with BMJ's website terms and conditions for the duration of the covid-19 pandemic or until otherwise determined by BMJ. You may use, download and print the article for any lawful, non-commercial purpose (including text and data mining) provided that all copyright notices and trade marks are retained.

Irfanali Rajabali Kugasia http:// orcid. org/ 0000-0002-4884-0960 Mohsin Ijaz http:// orcid. org/ 0000-0002-5428-3865 Bilal Athar Jalil http:// orcid. org/ 0000-0003-4344-7964