Thromboembolic complications of COVID-19

Emerg Radiol. 2021 Apr;28(2):423-429. doi: 10.1007/s10140-020-01868-0. Epub 2020 Nov 7.

Abstract

The symptomology of patients afflicted with novel 2019 coronavirus disease (SARS-CoV-2 or COVID-19) has varied greatly, ranging from the asymptomatic state to debilitating hypoxemic respiratory failure caused by severe atypical viral pneumonia. Patients may also develop a hyper-inflammatory state that can lead to multi-organ failure. It has become increasingly apparent that, as part of the hyper-inflammatory state, COVID-19 infection increases susceptibility to systemic thromboembolic complications that can contribute to rapid clinical deterioration or demise. This article aims to review imaging features of various systemic thrombotic complications in six patients with moderate to severe disease. This case series includes examples of pulmonary embolism, stroke, right ventricular thrombosis, renal vein thrombosis, and aortic thrombosis with leg ischemia.

Keywords: COVID-19; Computed tomography (CT); Coronavirus; Pulmonary embolism; Thromboembolism; Thrombosis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • COVID-19 / complications*
  • Cerebral Infarction / diagnostic imaging*
  • Cerebral Infarction / etiology*
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Pneumonia, Viral / complications
  • Pneumonia, Viral / virology
  • Pulmonary Embolism / diagnostic imaging*
  • Pulmonary Embolism / etiology*
  • SARS-CoV-2
  • Thromboembolism / diagnostic imaging*
  • Thromboembolism / etiology*