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Case Reports
. 2020 Nov;110(5):e409-e411.
doi: 10.1016/j.athoracsur.2020.04.005. Epub 2020 Apr 17.

Severe Acute Proximal Pulmonary Embolism and COVID-19: A Word of Caution

Olivier Fabre  1 , Olivier Rebet  1 , Ionut Carjaliu  1 , Mihai Radutoiu  1 , Laurence Gautier  1 , Ilir Hysi  2
Affiliations
Case Reports

Severe Acute Proximal Pulmonary Embolism and COVID-19: A Word of Caution

Olivier Fabre et al. Ann Thorac Surg. 2020 Nov.

Abstract

Acute pulmonary embolism is an uncharacteristic presentation in patients with coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19). Here we describe the case of a young woman presenting with severe pulmonary embolism, without any associated symptoms of infections. A clot in a patent foramen ovale was noted. Despite emergency surgical embolectomy, her clinical conditions continued to deteriorate. She was put on extracorporeal life support and tested positive for COVID-19. She died of multiorgan failure on day 10. COVID-19 may have a thrombogenic effect, and it may need to be considered in cases of pulmonary embolism and in the absence of any obvious risk factor.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
(A, B) Contrast-enhanced computed tomography scan shows proximal bilateral acute pulmonary embolism (arrows). (C, D) Numerous clots removed during surgery from right and left branches of the pulmonary artery.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Chest roentgenogram showing bilateral interstitial lung lesions.
Figure 3
Figure 3
(A, B) Parenchymal windows of initial contrast-enhanced computed tomography scan showing bilateral interstitial ground-glass opacities (arrows).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

Comment in

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