Catheter-directed thrombolysis to treat acute pulmonary thrombosis in a patient with COVID-19 pneumonia

BMJ Case Rep. 2020 Aug 11;13(8):e237046. doi: 10.1136/bcr-2020-237046.

Abstract

We describe a case of a patient who presented to the emergency department with severe shortness of breath and was diagnosed with mild COVID-19 pneumonia and concomitant intermediate-high risk saddle pulmonary thromboembolism. Additionally, the patient had sustained a significant head injury 2 days prior due to a syncopal episode. The patient was treated successfully with catheter-directed thrombolysis (CDT). The case highlights the importance of considering thromboembolic complications in COVID-19 infection, independent of the severity of the associated pneumonia. The case also demonstrates the potential benefit of CDT in treating COVID-19-related thromboembolism.

Keywords: haematology (incl blood transfusion); interventional radiology; pneumonia (infectious disease); pulmonary embolism; radiology.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Betacoronavirus*
  • COVID-19
  • Catheters
  • Coronavirus Infections / complications*
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Lung / diagnostic imaging
  • Middle Aged
  • Pandemics
  • Pneumonia, Viral / complications*
  • Pulmonary Embolism / complications*
  • Pulmonary Embolism / diagnostic imaging
  • Pulmonary Embolism / therapy*
  • SARS-CoV-2
  • Thrombolytic Therapy / methods*
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • Treatment Outcome