Acute pulmonary embolism in COVID-19 related hypercoagulability

J Thromb Thrombolysis. 2020 Jul;50(1):223-226. doi: 10.1007/s11239-020-02160-1.

Abstract

Since December 2019, a novel Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) was confirmed as the etiologic agent of a worldwide outbreak of a pneumonia that can result in severe respiratory failure. This clinical entity seems to be associated with a marked hypercoagulable state that causes both arterial and venous thromboembolic complications. Therefore, an adequate anti-thrombotic prophylaxis is recommended in hospitalized COVID-19 patients. Although rapidly worsening respiratory symptoms in a patient with SARS-CoV-2 respiratory infection may correlate with worsening pneumonia itself, it may also mask a pulmonary embolism. We report the case of a 50-year-old man affected by SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia, who developed acute pulmonary embolism.

Keywords: COVID-19; Case report; Coagulation; Interstitial pneumonia; Pulmonary embolism; SARS-CoV-2.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • COVID-19
  • Computed Tomography Angiography
  • Coronavirus Infections / complications*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Pandemics
  • Pneumonia, Viral / complications*
  • Pulmonary Embolism / diagnostic imaging
  • Pulmonary Embolism / virology*
  • Thrombophilia / complications
  • Thrombophilia / virology*