ABSTRACT
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been primarily linked to respiratory complications, including acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). However, several systemic manifestations of the disease may also occur. One of the emerging complications that is being increasingly reported in the literature is the hypercoagulable and intense inflammatory state in COVID-19 patients, which leads to venous and/or arterial thrombosis, vasospasm, and ischemia. Despite the recent advances in diagnostic and treatment modalities, the diagnosis and management of vascular ischemia in this patient population remain a challenge, resulting in increased morbidity and mortality. In this case report, we highlight the etiology and potential treatment of limb ischemia in COVID-19 patients.
ABSTRACT
We present a case of an 80-year-old female with a past medical history of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who was incidentally found to have severe circumferential thoracic aortic calcification detected on chest X-ray and computed tomography (CT) scan of the chest. This case highlights the chronic inflammatory state and immunological vascular damage as key mechanisms for the accumulation of dystrophic calcification in the blood vessels and soft tissues of patients with autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. It also emphasizes the importance of coordinated multidisciplinary care and management between different specialties including primary care physician (PCP), cardiology, and rheumatology to address all the challenges related to disease control and optimize cardiovascular risk factors in this patient population.
