Proof of Concept: Trans-atrial AngioVac Aspiration of Mitral Valve Thrombosis in a COVID-19 Patient.

In patients with a prohibitive surgical risk, the AngioVac cannula can be used to remove left-sided cardiac masses, as an off-label adaptation of the device. We herein describe a novel micro-invasive approach to gain access to the left atrium for the aspiration of a mitral valve mass in a patient affected by severe coronavirus disease 2019. Through a right anterior mini-thoracotomy, the right superior pulmonary vein was accessed and used to insert the aspiration cannula. A parallel venous-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO)-like circuit provided circulatory and respiratory support to ensure proper intra- and postoperative hemodynamic stabilization.

Endovascular Bailout Repair After Intraprocedural Thrombosis of a Bifurcated Unimodular Stent-graft During Aorto-iliac Revascularization in a Patient with Sars CoV-2 Infection.

To describe a case of endovascular bailout strategy during stent-graft thrombotic complication in an endovascular procedure for complex TASC II D aortoiliac lesion. A 77-year-old patient was admitted at our institution with bilateral lower limb rest pain due to aortoiliac obstructive disease in a previous aortobifemoral bypass grafting with an asymptomatic Sars-CoV-2 infection. We planned an anatomic reconstruction of the aortoiliac segment with an unimodular bifurcated stent-graft. During the procedure, we observed a preocclusive thrombosis of the aortic portion requiring endovascular thrombectomy with vacuum assisted system followed by a successfully kissing-stent endolining. The post-operative period was uneventful and patient was discharged on the 14th post-operative day. Endovascular thrombectomy may be a helpful strategy during thrombotic complication of complex reconstructions of obstructive aortoiliac disease avoiding surgical conversion to laparotomy.

Large tricuspid valve thrombus complicating COVID-19 pneumonia.

BACKGROUND: Hemostatic disturbances with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) can predispose to tricuspid and right heart thrombi in very rare instances. AIM: We describe a 29-year-old female patient without a previous cause of thrombosis who developed large tricuspid valve thrombus (TVT) and moderate-to-severe tricuspid regurgitation (TR) during the course of COVID-19 infection. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Persistant fever and tachycardia with thrombocytopenia and high d-dimer increased the index of suspicion. The diagnosis was made by bedside transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) and cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR). Surgery was performed for thrombectomy and tricuspid valve replacement with a tissue valve. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Detection of TVT in COVID-19 patients on the basis of high index of suspicion, bedside TTE and noninvasive CMR helps early surgical treatment and subsequent reduction of mortality and hospital stay.

Thrombi straddling patent foramen ovale: A case series with various management strategies.

This case series explores four cases of thrombi straddling patent foramen ovale (TSFO), an exceedingly rare event. The cases are compared regarding their presentations, evaluations, and management strategies including the first documented uses of percutaneous thromboembolectomy for the removal of a TSFO.

Acute limb ischaemia: not an uncommon complication of COVID-19 infection.

A new variant of coronavirus (2019-nCoV) causing acute respiratory distress in humans was identified for the first time in 2019, in Wuhan, China. One of the many complications of infection with this coronavirus is hypercoagulopathy, resulting in acute thrombosis; often leading to acute limb ischaemia. Herein, we report 20 cases of COVID-19 with peripheral arterial thrombosis involving either upper or lower limbs. Some patients underwent vascular procedures and most had to undergo amputation at some level. All the cases (n=20) were referred to us during the 8-month period June 2020 to March 2021. The most common age group was between 51 and 60 years, of whom 80% were males; all the patients had diabetes. The right lower limb was most affected (50%); 15 patients underwent embolectomy. Twenty-five per cent of patients presented with wet gangrene. One patient with upper limb thrombosis recovered after embolectomy and did not require any amputation. Eighty-five per cent of patients underwent some form of amputation and the mortality rate was 10%. Arterial thrombosis is one complication patients may develop during COVID-19 illness, which may affect the outcome. Patients with comorbid conditions like diabetes are at higher risk of developing arterial thrombosis during COVID-19 infection. Susceptibility to coagulopathy may continue even after patient discharge and it is important that both patients and treating physicians are aware of this limb-threatening complication and seek early medical attention.

Large thrombus in transit in a COVID-19 patient.

The course of COVID-19 patients may be complicated by thromboembolic events. We report on a 48-year-old female COVID-19 patient who underwent surgical removal of a large intracardiac thrombus. As per our centre protocol, critically ill COVID-19 patients are anticoagulated by the direct thrombin inhibitor Argatroban with close monitoring of anti-IIa activity. An intra-atrial thrombus formation fixed in a patent foramen ovale but also large mobile portions in both atria was diagnosed 4 days after weaning and removal of the jugular and femoral extracorporeal membrane oxygenation cannulas. The thrombus was removed surgically via median sternotomy and on cardiopulmonary bypass. The thrombus had a bizarre appearance with several finger-like appendices, and histological analysis revealed a mixed picture of acute and chronic thrombus portions. This case highlights the risk of life-threatening thrombus formation in COVID-19 patients despite therapeutic thrombin inhibition.

Endovascular Treatment of Renal Artery Thrombosis in Living-Donor Kidney Transplant Recipient With Severe COVID-19 Disease.

PURPOSE: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients have a higher prevalence of micro-and macrovascular thrombotic events. However, the underlying mechanism for the increased thrombotic risk is not completely understood. Solid organ transplant recipients infected with SARS-CoV-2 may have an exponential increase in thrombotic risk and the best management strategy is unknown. CASE REPORT: A female kidney transplant recipient presented with allograft's renal artery thrombosis after a recent COVID-19 infection. Due to the risk of kidney failure or exclusion, catheter directed thrombolysis was performed. Residual thrombus was excluded using an endoprosthesis with an excellent result. There were no adverse events and kidney function improved. CONCLUSION: This paper reports the endovascular treatment of renal artery thrombosis in a living-donor kidney transplant recipient with severe COVID-19 disease.

Multiple Sites of Arterial Thrombosis in A 35-Year Old Patient after ChAdOx1 (AstraZeneca) Vaccination, Requiring Emergent Femoral and Carotid Surgical Thrombectomy.

BACKGROUND: Vaccine Induced Thrombotic Thrombocytopenia (VITT) is a rare complication following ChAdOx1 (AstraZeneca) vaccination. Venous thrombosis in unusual sites such as splachnic or intracranial thrombosis, is the commonest manifestation. CASE REPORT: We report a 35-year-old male patient who presented with acute left leg ischemia and thrombocytopenia 11-days after vaccination requiring emergent thrombectomy. During work-up, a localized thrombus was detected in the left carotid bifurcation mandating carotid thrombectomy. Localized right iliac thrombus causing a non-limiting flow stenosis was treated conservatively. The platelet aggregating capacity of patient's plasma was confirmed in a functional assay, thereby establishing VITT. CONCLUSION: To the best of our knowledge this is the first case presenting multiple arterial thromboses requiring surgical treatment after ChAdOx1 vaccination.

Large mural thrombus in the non-aneurysmal and non-atherosclerotic ascending aorta: a case report.

BACKGROUND: The mural thrombus in the ascending aorta is rare, most of which are associated with aneurysm or atherosclerotic lesions, with high risks of causing catastrophic thrombotic events. A mural thrombus in the non-aneurysmal and non-atherosclerotic ascending aorta is exceptionally uncommon. CASE PRESENTATION: We reported a large mural thrombus in normal ascending aorta of an asymptomatic patient. Preoperative imaging confirmed the presence of the sessile thrombus located at the left anterior wall of ascending aorta. Given that it had the potential to cause fatal thrombotic complications, surgical removal and segment of ascending aorta replacement were executed. The patient had an uneventful recovery and discharged 14 days after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Anticoagulant is the therapeutic cornerstone of ascending aortic thrombus, but surgery should be performed aggressively when the thrombus is large or floating to avoid severe embolic complications or recurrence.

COVID-19 and supra-aortic trunks disease: review of literature about critical phase and sequelae.

The acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is responsible for the COVID-19 disease, a global pandemic. A strong association has been documented between COVID-19 and cardiovascular events, although the exact pathophysiological mechanism is still unclear. Carotid atherothrombosis and ischemic stroke represents one of the possible severe manifestations of COVID-19, as a leading cause of long-term disability and death. Different complex intertwined mechanisms seem to underlie the endothelitis which is the cause of multiple cardiovascular manifestations. To date, few case series describing COVID-19 and acute ischemic stroke caused by cervical carotid thrombosis have been published. All the patients shared common similar radiographic features, comorbidities, and biomarker profiles. The aim of this brief review was to analyze the impact of COVID-19 pandemic in the management of a Vascular Surgery Department, changing the daily vascular practice, as well as to provide practical suggestions for symptomatic carotid stenosis, while reviewing published literature.

Endotheliitis in Coronavirus Disease 2019-Positive Patients After Extremity Amputation for Acute Thrombotic Events.

BACKGROUND: Both arterial and venous thrombotic events of the extremities occur in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection, but the etiology of these events remains unclear. This study sought to evaluate pathology specimens of COVID-19-positive patients postamputation, who were found to have Rutherford 3 acute limb ischemia requiring amputation. METHODS: A retrospective review was performed of all vascular surgery emergency room and inpatient consultations in patients who presented to the Mount Sinai Health System from March 26, 2020, to May 10, 2020. Pathology specimens were examined using hematoxylin and eosin stain. The specimens were assessed for the following: inflammatory cells associated with endothelium/apoptotic bodies, mononuclear cells, small vessel congestion, and lymphocytic endotheliitis. Of the specimens evaluated, 2 patients with a known history of peripheral vascular disease were excluded. RESULTS: Inflammatory cells associated with endothelium/apoptotic bodies were seen in all 4 patients and in 4 of 5 specimens. Mononuclear cells were found in 2 of 4 patients. Small vessel congestion was seen in all patients. Lymphocytic endotheliitis was seen in 1 of 4 patients. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows endotheliitis in amputation specimens of four patients with COVID-19 disease and Rutherford Class 3 acute limb ischemia. The findings in these patients is more likely an infectious angiitis because of COVID-19.

Spontaneous Acute Aortic Thrombosis in SARS-CoV-2 Infection.

INTRODUCTION: The SARS-CoV-2 infection is associated with significant morbidity and mortality rates. The impact of thrombotic complications has been increasingly recognized as an important component of this disease. CASE REPORTS: We describe four cases of spontaneous acute aortic thrombosis in patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection observed from March to December 2020 at Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Gemelli IRCCS in Rome, Italy.

Symptomatic Common Carotid Free-Floating Thrombus in a COVID-19 Patient, Case Report and Literature Review.

Carotid free-floating thrombus is an uncommon entity that usually presents with neurologic symptoms. Crescendo transient ischemic attack is an accepted indication for urgent carotid endarterectomy. COVID-19 is associated with severe thromboembolic complications. We report the case of a 61-year-old man who developed, 2 weeks after the diagnosis of COVID-19, crescendo transient ischemic attack, complicating a large intraluminal floating thrombus within the right common carotid artery. A carotid thromboendarterectomy under local anesthesia, with patch closure was immediately performed without complications. We conducted a literature review to identify cases of common carotid artery thrombus related to COVID-19. Carotid free-floating thrombus in the common carotid artery is exceptional. However, since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, 15 cases have been published.

Severe Aortic Thrombosis in the Early Period after COVID-19: Two Cases.

A total occlusion of the aorta is a rare condition; however, while rare, it has a very high mortality rate. Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) poses serious health problems, including vascular problems. Inflammatory changes produced by viral infections can cause serious disturbances in the coagulation system. Although cases showing a marked increase in thrombotic activity in the venous system have been presented, thrombosis in the arterial system, especially in the aorta, has rarely been reported. Here, we present 2 patients admitted to our hospital with an acute aortic thrombosis.

Axillary artery thrombosis resulting in upper limb amputation as a COVID-19 sequela.

Novel COVID-19 continues to intrigue medical professionals with its varied presentations. Though it affects the respiratory tract primarily, thrombogenesis has been the Achilles' heel. A 44-year-old man diagnosed with COVID-19 presented with upper limb pain at a local hospital and was found to have thrombosis of the right axillary artery. Despite a successful embolectomy at the local hospital, there was re-occlusion of the axillary artery and the limb became ischaemic. He was referred to our institution by which time the limb became gangrenous above the elbow and had to be amputated. Extensive sloughing of the nerves was also seen in the local area. Hypercoagulability presenting with various manifestations is common in COVID-19 and needs early anticoagulation. We present this asymptomatic patient who lost a limb to this COVID-19 sequelae.

Aorto-iliac/right leg arterial thrombosis necessitating limb amputation, pulmonary arterial, intracardiac, and ilio-caval venous thrombosis in a 40-year-old with COVID-19.

We describe a 40-year-old man with severe COVID-19 requiring mechanical ventilation who developed aorto-bi-iliac arterial, right lower extremity arterial, intracardiac, pulmonary arterial and ilio-caval venous thromboses and required right lower extremity amputation for acute limb ischemia. This unique case illustrates COVID-19-associated thrombotic complications occurring at multiple, different sites in the cardiovascular system of a single infected patient.

Superior Mesenteric Arterial and Venous Thrombosis in COVID-19.

BACKGROUND: Patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) commonly present with fever, constitutional symptoms, and respiratory symptoms. However, atypical presentations are also well known. Though isolated mesenteric arterial occlusion associated with COVID-19 has been reported in literature, combined superior mesenteric arterial and venous thrombosis is rare. We report a case of combined superior mesenteric arterial and venous occlusion associated with COVID-19 infection. CASE REPORT: We report a case of a 45-year-old man who was a health care worker who presented to the emergency department with severe abdominal pain. The clinical examination was unremarkable, but imaging revealed acute mesenteric ischemia caused by superior mesenteric artery and superior mesenteric vein occlusion. Imaging of the chest was suggestive of COVID-19 infection, which was later confirmed with reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction of his nasopharyngeal swab. To date, only 1 case of combined superior mesenteric artery and superior mesenteric vein thrombosis caused by COVID-19 has been reported. WHY SHOULD AN EMERGENCY PHYSICIAN BE AWARE OF THIS?: During the COVID-19 pandemic it is important to keep mesenteric ischemia in the differential diagnosis of unexplained abdominal pain. Routinely adding high-resolution computed tomography of the chest to abdominal imaging should be considered in patients with acute abdomen because it can help to identify COVID-19 immediately. © 2020 Elsevier Inc.

Acute aortoiliac occlusion in a patient with novel coronavirus disease-2019.

The severe acute respiratory syndrome novel coronavirus-2 pandemic is affecting almost every country in the world. Even if the major symptoms of coronavirus disease-2019 are respiratory, different symptoms at presentation are now recognized. Venous thromboembolism has been reported in infected patients and few but increasing cases of arterial thrombosis have been described. We report a case of acute aortoiliac and lower limb artery occlusions in a patient presenting with severe coronavirus disease-2019 infection. The mechanism of the occlusion seemed to be distal embolization from a floating thrombus in the aortic arch caused by a major inflammatory state and virus infection. The patient underwent aortoiliac and lower limb artery mechanical thrombectomy, but required unilateral major amputation.