Project description:We present a case describing the use of the AngioVac system (AngioDynamics, Inc.) and SENTINEL™ cerebral protection system (SCPS; Boston Scientific) in a patient with COVID-19 who initially presented with a large deep-vein thrombosis of the left lower extremity, complicated by a pulmonary embolism. Although he initially improved with systemic alteplase, he later developed a second large clot diagnosed in transit in the right atrium. Within 12 hours from initial thrombolysis, this large clot wedged across an incidental patent foramen ovale (PFO), the atrial septum, and the cavotricuspid annulus. We emergently performed a percutaneous clot extraction with preemptive placement of the SCPS in anticipation of cardioembolic phenomenon. A large (> 10 cm) clot was extracted without complication, and the patient was discharged home. The combined use of SCPS and AngioVac in this case suggests a potential role for percutaneous treatment of severe and consequential thromboembolic disease, especially in patients with a PFO, and may be considered as an alternative and less-invasive option in patients with COVID-19. While cerebral embolic protection devices are approved for and widely used in transcatheter aortic valve replacement procedures, there is a theoretical benefit for use in percutaneous thrombolectomies as well.
Project description:BackgroundMyocardial injury is associated with excess mortality in severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infections, and the mechanisms of injury are diverse. Coagulopathy associated with this infection may have unique cardiovascular implications.Case summaryWe present a case of 62-year-old male who presented after experiencing syncope and cardiac arrest. Given the clinical presentation and electrocardiographic findings, there was concern for acute coronary syndrome. However, coronary angiogram did not reveal significant coronary obstruction. Due to the unclear nature of his presentation, a bedside echocardiogram was rapidly performed and was indicative of right ventricular strain. Due to these findings, a pulmonary angiogram was performed that revealed massive pulmonary embolism. He successfully underwent catheter-directed thrombolysis and, after a prolonged hospital stay, was discharged home on lifelong anticoagulation.DiscussionThe impact of coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) on the cardiovascular system has been prominent and multifaceted. COVID-19 can have wide-ranging effects on the cardiovascular system due to coagulopathy with resultant venous and arterial thrombo-embolism. Due to the critical condition of many patients affected by COVID-19, imaging for thrombo-embolic events is often delayed. With the use of bedside echocardiogram, observation of right ventricular strain may be critical in raising suspicion for pulmonary embolism, especially when atypical features are noted on electrocardiogram.
Project description:BackgroundThe venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a frequent condition, which may worsen the prognosis of hospitalized COVID-19 patients. Nevertheless, the incidence of this complication is unknown in patients with mild COVID-19 symptoms.Case summaryA 26-year-old female nurse, who had been taking oral contraceptive pills (OCPs) treatment for the last 2 years, developed mild COVID-19 symptoms (rhinitis and anosmia). She underwent isolation at home and was subsequently followed up with telehealth visits. Fifteen days after her initial presentation, she developed acute onset sudden dyspnoea. On physical examination, she was found to be tachycardic with normal pulse oximetry. The initial risk score for VTE was moderate and laboratory results showed increased D-dimer level without other relevant findings. Computed tomography pulmonary angiography was performed, which confirmed low-risk subsegmental pulmonary embolism.DiscussionVenous thromboembolism in patients who present with severe COVID-19 symptoms has already been described in the literature; its incidence is greater in patients hospitalized in intensive care units. Efforts to prevent VTE based on risk scores are widely recognized. However, the relationship in patients who present with mild COVID-19 symptoms and VTE is still unknown. Recently, experts on this field have introduced thromboprophylaxis guidelines including ambulatory patients based on the severity of COVID-19 symptoms and pro-thrombotic risk. Our patient showed no major risk for developing VTE; therefore, the VTE could be associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection or the eventual pro-thrombotic association with the concomitant use of OCPs.
Project description: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.
Project description:Recent reports have suggested an increased risk of pulmonary embolism (PE) related to COVID-19. The aim of this cohort study is to compare the incidence of PE during a 3-year period and to assess the characteristics of PE in COVID-19. We studied consecutive patients presenting with PE (January 2017–April 2020). Clinical presentation, computed tomography (CT) and biological markers were systematically assessed. We recorded the global number of hospitalizations during the COVID-19 pandemic and during the same period in 2018-2019. We included 347 patients: 326 without COVID-19 and 21 with COVID-19. Patients with COVID-19 experienced more likely dyspnea (p=0.04), had lower arterial oxygen saturation (p<0.001), higher C-reactive protein and white blood cell (WBC) count (p<0.0001 and p=0.001, respectively), and a significantly higher in-hospital mortality (14% versus 3.4%, p=0.04). Among COVID-19 patients, diagnosis of PE was performed at admission in 38% (n=8). COVID-19 patients with diagnosis of PE during hospitalization (n=13) had significantly more dyspnea (p=0.04), lower arterial oxygen saturation (p=0.01), less proximal PE (p=0.02), and higher heart rate (p=0.009), CT severity score (p=0.001), C-reactive protein (p=0.006) and WBC count (p=0.04). During the COVID-19 outbreak, a 97.4% increase of PE incidence was observed as compared to 2017–2019 and the proportion of hospitalizations related to PE was 3.7% versus 1.3% in 2018–2019 (p<0.0001). In conclusion, the COVID-19 pandemic leads to a dramatic increased incidence of PE. Physicians should be aware that PE may be diagnosed at admission, but also after several days of hospitalization, with a different clinical, CT and biological features of thrombotic disease. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1007/s11239-020-02292-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
Project description:BACKGROUND:Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is characterised by dyspnoea and abnormal coagulation parameters, including raised D-dimer. Data suggests a high incidence of pulmonary embolism (PE) in ventilated patients with COVID-19. OBJECTIVES:To determine the incidence of PE in hospitalised patients with COVID-19 and the diagnostic yield of Computer Tomography Pulmonary Angiography (CTPA) for PE. We also examined the utility of D-dimer and conventional pre-test probability for diagnosis of PE in COVID-19. PATIENTS/METHODS:Retrospective review of single-centre data of all CTPA studies in patients with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 identified from Electronic Patient Records (EPR). RESULTS:There were 1477 patients admitted with COVID-19 and 214 CTPA scans performed, of which n = 180 (84%) were requested outside of critical care. The diagnostic yield for PE was 37%. The overall proportion of PE in patients with COVID-19 was 5.4%. The proportions with Wells score of ?4 ('PE likely') was 33/134 (25%) without PE vs 20/80 (25%) with PE (P = 0.951). The median National Early Warning-2 (NEWS2) score (illness severity) was 5 (interquartile range [IQR] 3-9) in PE group vs 4 (IQR 2-7) in those without PE (P = 0.133). D-dimer was higher in PE (median 8000 ng/mL; IQR 4665-8000 ng/mL) than non-PE (2060 ng/mL, IQR 1210-4410 ng/mL, P < 0.001). In the 'low probability' group, D-dimer was higher (P < 0.001) in those with PE but had a limited role in excluding PE. CONCLUSIONS:Even outside of the critical care environment, PE in hospitalised patients with COVID-19 is common. Of note, approaching half of PE events were diagnosed on hospital admission. More data are needed to identify an optimal diagnostic pathway in patients with COVID-19. Randomised controlled trials of intensified thromboprophylaxis are urgently needed.
Project description:A 64-year-old female patient presented with severe dyspnea shortly after apparent recovery from COVID-19 disease. Chest computed tomography revealed central pulmonary embolism and ultrasonography showed a deep vein thrombosis of her right leg. The patient was tachycardiac with evidence of right ventricular strain on echocardiography. An interdisciplinary decision for interventional therapy was made. Angiographic aspiration thrombectomy resulted in a significant reduction of thrombus material and improved flow in the pulmonary arteries and immediate marked clinical improvement and subsequent normalization of functional echocardiographic parameters. This case adds to the emerging evidence for severe thromboembolic complications following COVID-19 and suggests aspiration thrombectomy can be considered in pulmonary embolism of intermediate risk.
Project description:BackgroundSevere acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 disease is strongly associated with a high incidence of thrombotic events. Anticoagulation could be a cornerstone in successfully managing severe forms of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). However, optimal anticoagulant dosing in elderly patients is challenging because of high risk of both thrombosis and bleeding.Case summaryWe present here the case of an 89-year-old patient receiving warfarin for atrial fibrillation and valvular heart disease, admitted to the intensive care unit for respiratory failure due to COVID-19. The patient presented with a severe epistaxis associated with warfarin overdose [international normalized ratio (INR) > 10]. After a successful initial reversal using vitamin K per os, INR values greatly fluctuated up to 10, requiring repeated administrations of vitamin K. Despite starting low-molecular-weight heparin therapy at therapeutic dose as soon as INR value was below 2.0, the patient further developed an acute bilateral and proximal pulmonary embolism concomitantly with a sharp D-dimer increase. The combination of azithromycin intake, a known inhibitor of CYP2C9, with the presence of CYP2C9*2 and -1639G>A VKORC1, two variants associated with warfarin hypersensitivity, have likely contributed to explain the warfarin overdose and the difficulty to reverse warfarin effect in this patient.DiscussionThis case report illustrates the complexity of COVID-19 pathophysiology and its management for physicians, especially in patients receiving vitamin K antagonists (VKAs). Infection, concurrent medication use, and pharmacogenetic factors involved in VKA metabolism and pharmacodynamics may lead to a loss of control of anticoagulation. Pulmonary embolism should still be considered in COVID-19 patients even with effective or overdosed anticoagulant therapy.
Project description:ObjectiveNo guidelines exist for the management of massive pulmonary embolism (PE) in COVID-19. We present a COVID-19 patient with refractory acute respiratory syndrome (ARDS), and life-threatening PE who underwent successful thrombolysis.Case presentationA previously healthy 47 year old male was admitted to our hospital due to severe COVID-19 pneumonia [confirmed by Real-Time-Polymerase-Chain-Reaction (RT-PCR)]. He had rapidly evolving ARDS [partial arterial pressure of oxygen to fractional inspired concentration of oxygen ratio: 175], and sepsis. Laboratory results showed lymphocytopenia, and increased D-dimer levels (7.7 ?g/ml; normal: 0-0.5 ?g/ml). The patient was treated in the intensive care unit. On day-1, ARDS-net/prone positioning ventilation, and empiric anti-COVID treatment integrating prophylactic anticoagulation was administered. On hospital day-2, the patient developed shock with worsening oxygenation. Point-of-care-ultrasound depicted a large thrombus migrating from the right atrium to the pulmonary circulation. Intravenous alteplase (100 mg over 2 h) was administered as rescue therapy. The patient made an uneventful recovery, and was discharged to home isolation (day-20) on oral rivaroxaban.ConclusionThrombolysis may have a critical therapeutic role for massive PE in COVID-19; however the risk of potential bleeding should not be underestimated. Point-of-care ultrasound has a pivotal role in the management of refractory ARDS in COVID-19.