COVID-19: A Potential Risk Factor for Acute Pulmonary Embolism

Methodist Debakey Cardiovasc J. 2020 Apr-Jun;16(2):155-157. doi: 10.14797/mdcj-16-2-155.

Abstract

A COVID-19-positive patient presented with pleuritic chest pain and cough and was found to have acute pulmonary embolisms (APEs). There has been an increase in observational reports of venous thromboembolic events in patients who are positive for COVID-19, especially in the setting of elevated inflammatory markers. The possibility of COVID-19 as an independent risk factor for APEs should be further explored in this novel pandemic.

Keywords: acute pulmonary embolism; acute respiratory distress syndrome; computed tomography angiogram; coronavirus; venous thromboembolism.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Acute Disease
  • Adult
  • Anticoagulants / therapeutic use
  • COVID-19
  • Chest Pain / diagnosis
  • Chest Pain / etiology
  • Computed Tomography Angiography / methods
  • Coronavirus Infections / complications*
  • Coronavirus Infections / diagnosis
  • Cough / diagnosis
  • Cough / etiology
  • Emergency Service, Hospital
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Pandemics
  • Pneumonia, Viral / complications*
  • Pneumonia, Viral / diagnosis
  • Pulmonary Embolism / complications*
  • Pulmonary Embolism / diagnostic imaging*
  • Pulmonary Embolism / drug therapy
  • Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome / complications*
  • Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome / diagnosis
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed / methods
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Anticoagulants