Right Ventricular Clot in Transit in COVID-19: Implications for the Pulmonary Embolism Response Team

Abstract

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 is associated with a prothrombotic state in infected patients. After presenting a case of right ventricular thrombus in a patient with coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19), we discuss the unique challenges in the evaluation and treatment of COVID-19 patients, highlighting our COVID-19-modified pulmonary embolism response team algorithm. (Level of Difficulty: Beginner.).

Keywords: ARDS, acute respiratory distress syndrome; COVID-19, coronavirus disease-2019; CTA, computed tomography angiography; ECMO, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation; ICU, intensive care unit; PE, pulmonary embolism; PERT, pulmonary embolism response team; PPE, personal protective equipment; Pao2, partial arterial pressure of oxygen; SARS-CoV-2, severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2; TTE, transthoracic echocardiography; VTE, venous thromboembolism; clot in transit; pulmonary embolism; right ventricle; tPA, tissue plasminogen activator; thrombus; vascular disease.