A RARE CASE OF ASYMPTOMATIC COVID-19 INFECTION MASQUERADING AS PHLEGMASIA CERULEA DOLENS

ABSTRACT

SESSION TITLE Look again Infections and Mimics SESSION TYPE Case Reports PRESENTED ON 10/18/2022 1115 am - 1215 pm INTRODUCTION: Phlegmasia Cerulea Dolens (PCD) is a rare and critical condition caused by venous thrombosis requiring emergent treatment to prevent limb ischemia. COVID 19 has been widely reported to cause venous thromboembolism and compromise of tissue perfusion. We report a case of PCD in a patient with asymptomatic COVID-19 infection. CASE PRESENTATION A 60 year-old female with no known medical history, unvaccinated for COVID-19 presented with sudden onset left lower extremity pain and swelling associated with numbness. Physical examination was remarkable for left lower extremity swelling with bluish discoloration, poikilothermia, and paraesthesia. Computed tomography angiogram (CTA) chest, abdomen and pelvis revealed left lower extremity deep vein thrombosis with compromised blood flow with focal thrombosis of the IVC extending inferiorly to the great saphenous and popliteal vein, along with small bilateral segmental and subsegmental pulmonary emboli. Diffuse Ground glass opacities suspicious for COVID-19 pneumonia. COVID-19 PCR was positive. Anticoagulation with heparin drip was initiated, and the patient underwent successful left iliocaval to popliteal vein thrombectomy and venoplasty by interventional radiology with successful restoration of circulation to the affected extremity. She was eventually transitioned to apixaban. She experienced marked improvement in her symptoms post procedure. DISCUSSION: Patients with COVID 19 develop venous thromboembolisms at an alarming rate despite thromboprophylaxis. The mechanism is likely explained by the virchow's triad (venous stasis, hypercoagulable state, vessel wall injury) in the setting of increased pro-inflammatory markers. We report the first case at our institution of PCD in the setting of COVID-19.We noted that our patient had a similar presentation as those reported in literature, which include acute leg swelling associated with pain and cyanosis. Complications include venous outflow obstruction, which can result in compartment syndrome with arterial ischemia, eventually progressing to gangrene of the affected limb. PCD is a very rare but life-threatening complication caused by extensive clot burden associated with acute limb ischemia and increased mortality rates. This condition requires emergent initiation of intravenous anticoagulation and thrombectomy with or without tissue plasminogen activator (tPA). If this condition is not treated in a timely fashion, it can result in acute limb ischemia and gangrene requiring amputation. CONCLUSIONS: Physicians should recognize PCD in patients who have been exposed to COVID-19 as it is a life-threatening condition which requires emergent initiation of anticoagulation and treatment. Diagnosis is usually made with clinical examination and ultrasonography or CT imaging. Management options include open thrombectomy with leg fasciotomy or catheter directed thrombolysis or percutaneous transluminal angioplasty. Reference #1 Chun TT, Jimenez JC, Pantoja JL, Moriarty JM, Freeman S. Phlegmasia cerulea dolens associated with acute coronavirus disease 2019 pneumonia despite supratherapeutic warfarin anticoagulation. J Vasc Surg Cases Innov Tech. 2020;6(4)653-656. doi10.1016/j.jvscit.2020.10.002 Reference #2 Gutierrez JR, Volteas P, Skripochnik E, Tassiopoulos AK, Bannazadeh M. A Case of Phlegmasia Cerulea Dolens in a Patient With COVID-19, Effectively Ttreated With Fasciotomy and Mechanical Thrombectomy. Ann Vasc Surg. 2022 Feb;79122-126. doi 10.1016/j.avsg.2021.07.034. Epub 2021 Oct 10. PMID 34644637;PMCID PMC8502248 Reference #3 Morales MH, Leigh CL, Simon EL. COVID-19 infection with extensive thrombosis A case of phlegmasia cerulea dolens. Am J Emerg Med. 2020;38(9)1978.e1-1978.e3. doi10.1016/j.ajem.2020.05.022 DISCLOSURES No relevant relationships by Arij Azhar No relevant relationships by Louis Gerolemou No relevant relationships by Wael Kalaji No relevant relationships by Steven Miller N relevant relationships by jasparit minhas No relevant relationships by houman mirtorabi No relevant relationships by Kunal Nangrani No relevant relationships by Gaurav Parhar No relevant relationships by Kiran Zaman