AUCTORES
Globalize your Research
Case Report | DOI: https://doi.org/10.31579/2690-8808/163
1 Specialist of I and II Degree in Comprehensive General Medicine, Assistant Professor, Faculty of Medical Sciences of Sagua la Grande, Cuba.
2 I Degree Specialist in Internal Medicin. Assistant Professor, Provincial General University Hospital “Mártires del 9 de Abril”, Sagua la Grande, Villa Clara, Cuba
3 Doctor of Pedagogical Sciences, Full Professor, Faculty of Medical Sciences of Sagua la Grande, Villa Clara, Cuba
4 6th Year Student of Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences of Sagua la Grande. Villa Clara, Cuba
5 3rd Year Student of Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences of Sagua la Grande. Villa Clara, Cuba
6 I Degree Specialist in Imaging. Clinical Surgical Teaching Hospital "Abel Santamaría Cuadrado". Pinar del Rio. Cuba.
*Corresponding Author: Claribel Plain Pazos, Specialist of I and II Degree in Comprehensive General Medicine, Assistant Professor, Faculty of Medical Sciences of Sagua la Grande, Cuba
Citation: Claribel Plain Pazos, Anel Pérez de Alejo Alemán, Carmen Rosa Carmona Pentón, Nubia Blanco Balbeito. et all (2023), Bilateral Pulmonary Thromboembolism in a post-COVID Patient. J, Clinical Case Reports and Studies, 4(2); DOI:10.31579/2690-8808/163
Copyright: © 2023 Claribel Plain Pazos, This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Received: 26 November 2022 | Accepted: 30 December 2022 | Published: 04 February 2023
Keywords: COVID-19; pulmonary thromboembolism; right bundle branch block
Pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE) is a disease that is difficult to diagnose, and is a problem in the global health system. It is one of the complications described in COVID-19. We present a case of a 49-year-old man, with a history of being a smoker who, ten days after having suffered from COVID 19, begins with right hemithorax pain, cough with yellowish expectoration, slight shortness of breath and tiredness on exertion. interpreted as post_COVID pneumonia and antibiotic treatment is indicated. He does not improve and an EKG is performed which shows rapid response atrial fibrillation. An AndioCT is performed with which he is diagnosed with bilateral pulmonary thromboembolism. It evolves towards healing with treatment with Fraxiheparin. Pulmonary thromboembolism is a feared complication of COVID-19, which requires rapid diagnosis to ensure adequate treatment to achieve patient recovery and prevent death.
Pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE) is a disease that is difficult to diagnose, and is a problem in the global health system. It is the third leading cause of cardiovascular death, after coronary heart disease and stroke. It is not a disease that can be reliably excluded without the aid of expensive imaging studies and some laboratory tests.[1,2] In epidemiological studies, annual incidence rates of PE are 39-115 per year. 100,000 inhabitants [3].
After December 2019, with the arrival of the coronavirus and COVID-19, an increase in the disease has been seen. One of the complications described in COVID-19 is pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE). The coronavirus increases the risk of suffering from this disease. The annual reported incidence of venous ET is between 23 and 69 per 10,000 population, with approximately one third of patients with pulmonary thromboembolism and two thirds with deep vein thrombosis (DVT) [4]. In a study by García Lledo et al. to the. In Madred Spain in 2020, an increase in the incidence of PTE was determined during the first months of the COVID-19 pandemic, with a risk up to 4.5 times higher than that of the same period of the previous year [5].
Occasionally, PE is observed in patients whose respiratory symptoms rapidly worsen and fall into acute respiratory syndrome, increasing the risk of death. On the other hand, it is suggested that there is a direct relationship between the risk of PTE and D-dimer values [4]. 15% of sudden unexplained death is caused by pulmonary thromboembolism, the mortality rate from undiagnosed PE can be as high as 30%[2].
There is no isolated test to help us confirm or rule out PE;that is why its diagnosis is based on several pillars: clinical suspicion, analytical data and imaging test [1].
The treatment of choice is anticoagulation [2]. All patients with a diagnosis of acute PE, unless there is a contraindication, should be appropriately and promptly anticoagulated with unfractionated heparin or low molecular weight heparin [1].
Presentation of the case
Male patient, white race, 49 years old with a history of being a smoker who began with a fever of 38.5˚C, dry cough, weakness, general malaise, PCR is performed, which is positive for coronavirus, he is diagnosed with Covid-19 carryingsymptomatic treatment, improving symptoms.Ten days later he began with pain in the right hemithorax, cough with yellowish expectoration, discreet shortness of breath and tiredness on exertion.
Physical examination found nothing relevant.FR 20´
Complementary Exams:
WBC: 14.9X109neutrophils 74,6 %.
D-dimer 80
Electrocardiogram: Normal.sinus rhythm
Chest radiography: Image of inflammatory condensation at the level of the right ilium (Figure 1).
It is interpreted as post-covid pneumonia and antibiotic treatment is indicated.
Figure 1. Chest X Ray: Image of inflammatory condensation at the level of the right ilium
After starting treatment, the cough and expectoration decreased, although it did not completely disappear, he continued with pain in the right hemithorax and in the interscapular region, in addition to dyspnea and tiredness on exertion.
After six days of antibiotic treatment, as symptoms persisted, an electrocardiogram was performed, diagnosing atrial fibrillation with rapid response.FC 150 X´.Echocardiogram with normal systolic function and slight pulmonary hypertension.
AngioCT was decided to perform due to suspicion of PE given the patient's history and the results of the EKG and Echocardiogram, finding partial condensation of the lower segment of the left lower lobe (Figure 2 A) and posterior and lateral of the right lower lobe (Figure 2 B) corresponding to bilateral PET.
Figure 2: A left PET.B right PET
Anticoagulant treatment with low molecular weight heparin (Fraxiheparin 1mg/kg SC), Digoxin 0.25mg IV daily, Amiodarone 200mg Oral daily was indicated.At 48 hours, the rhythm becomes sinus and the symptoms improve.
The patient presents a satisfactory evolution, completing the scheme with therapeutic anticoagulation with low molecular weight heparin, without dyspnea or chest pain.Medical discharge with outpatient management with oral anticoagulants Oral Warfarin 7 mg daily is considered.The patient is currently being followed up for a symptom-free consultation.
COVID-19 increases the risk of PTE production, which can appear during the course of the disease or after it,[4] as occurred in the present case.
The most frequent symptom is dyspnea, it manifests when the clot obstructs proximal portions of the pulmonary vasculature, it can manifest pleural irritation and pleuritic-type pain in up to 50% of patients, sometimes accompanied by cough and hemoptysis [1]. The patient studied presented dyspnea, pain and cough, but since these symptoms are common for pneumonia and it is a post-COVID patient, who had a chest X-ray suggestive of pneumonia and a negative D-Dimer, it is suspected initially from Post-COVID Pneumonia.
Several bibliographies indicate PE as one of the complications described in COVID-19. The coronavirus increases the risk of suffering from this disease [4]. The non-improvement of the patient's clinical picture despite antibiotic treatment and the appearance of Atrial Fibrillation with rapid response leads to suspicion of the presence of PE.
D-Dimer is the product of fibrin proteolysis in the thrombus. It has a high negative predictive value and as such is used to exclude thromboembolic disease [6]. In this case, initially at the onset of symptoms, the D-Dimer was negative, so this diagnosis was wrongly excluded.
The electrocardiogram in the context of a massive PTE shows a series of pathophysiologically interesting findings, although not very specific from the diagnostic point of view, such as the following in frequency of appearance: 1. Sinus tachycardia 2. T wave inversion 3. Block right bundle branch of His 4. S1Q3T3 pattern [6]. However, other authors report that a finding of unknown atrial fibrillation can lead to suspicion of PE [1], coinciding with what was found in the current case.
Computed tomography angiography, or AngioCT allows the visualization of the thrombus in the pulmonary vasculature through the use of contrast medium, although the fact that the presence of the thrombus cannot be demonstrated does not exclude the disease [4,6]. AngioCT in this patient showed a partial condensation of the lower segment of the left lower lobe and posterior and lateral of the right lower lobe, which allowed the diagnosis of bilateral PE.
The main management of this disease consists of anticoagulation, for which the use of low molecular weight heparins is preferred [1,4,6]. The patient studied was prescribed anticoagulant treatment with low molecular weight heparin (Fraxiheparin 1mg/kg SC), Digoxin 0.25mg IV daily, Amiodarone 200mg Oral daily, achieving recovery.
Pulmonary thromboembolism is a feared complication of COVID-19, which requires rapid diagnosis to ensure adequate treatment to achieve patient recovery and prevent death.
Clearly Auctoresonline and particularly Psychology and Mental Health Care Journal is dedicated to improving health care services for individuals and populations. The editorial boards' ability to efficiently recognize and share the global importance of health literacy with a variety of stakeholders. Auctoresonline publishing platform can be used to facilitate of optimal client-based services and should be added to health care professionals' repertoire of evidence-based health care resources.
Journal of Clinical Cardiology and Cardiovascular Intervention The submission and review process was adequate. However I think that the publication total value should have been enlightened in early fases. Thank you for all.
Journal of Women Health Care and Issues By the present mail, I want to say thank to you and tour colleagues for facilitating my published article. Specially thank you for the peer review process, support from the editorial office. I appreciate positively the quality of your journal.
Journal of Clinical Research and Reports I would be very delighted to submit my testimonial regarding the reviewer board and the editorial office. The reviewer board were accurate and helpful regarding any modifications for my manuscript. And the editorial office were very helpful and supportive in contacting and monitoring with any update and offering help. It was my pleasure to contribute with your promising Journal and I am looking forward for more collaboration.
We would like to thank the Journal of Thoracic Disease and Cardiothoracic Surgery because of the services they provided us for our articles. The peer-review process was done in a very excellent time manner, and the opinions of the reviewers helped us to improve our manuscript further. The editorial office had an outstanding correspondence with us and guided us in many ways. During a hard time of the pandemic that is affecting every one of us tremendously, the editorial office helped us make everything easier for publishing scientific work. Hope for a more scientific relationship with your Journal.
The peer-review process which consisted high quality queries on the paper. I did answer six reviewers’ questions and comments before the paper was accepted. The support from the editorial office is excellent.
Journal of Neuroscience and Neurological Surgery. I had the experience of publishing a research article recently. The whole process was simple from submission to publication. The reviewers made specific and valuable recommendations and corrections that improved the quality of my publication. I strongly recommend this Journal.
Dr. Katarzyna Byczkowska My testimonial covering: "The peer review process is quick and effective. The support from the editorial office is very professional and friendly. Quality of the Clinical Cardiology and Cardiovascular Interventions is scientific and publishes ground-breaking research on cardiology that is useful for other professionals in the field.
Thank you most sincerely, with regard to the support you have given in relation to the reviewing process and the processing of my article entitled "Large Cell Neuroendocrine Carcinoma of The Prostate Gland: A Review and Update" for publication in your esteemed Journal, Journal of Cancer Research and Cellular Therapeutics". The editorial team has been very supportive.
Testimony of Journal of Clinical Otorhinolaryngology: work with your Reviews has been a educational and constructive experience. The editorial office were very helpful and supportive. It was a pleasure to contribute to your Journal.
Dr. Bernard Terkimbi Utoo, I am happy to publish my scientific work in Journal of Women Health Care and Issues (JWHCI). The manuscript submission was seamless and peer review process was top notch. I was amazed that 4 reviewers worked on the manuscript which made it a highly technical, standard and excellent quality paper. I appreciate the format and consideration for the APC as well as the speed of publication. It is my pleasure to continue with this scientific relationship with the esteem JWHCI.
This is an acknowledgment for peer reviewers, editorial board of Journal of Clinical Research and Reports. They show a lot of consideration for us as publishers for our research article “Evaluation of the different factors associated with side effects of COVID-19 vaccination on medical students, Mutah university, Al-Karak, Jordan”, in a very professional and easy way. This journal is one of outstanding medical journal.
Dear Hao Jiang, to Journal of Nutrition and Food Processing We greatly appreciate the efficient, professional and rapid processing of our paper by your team. If there is anything else we should do, please do not hesitate to let us know. On behalf of my co-authors, we would like to express our great appreciation to editor and reviewers.
As an author who has recently published in the journal "Brain and Neurological Disorders". I am delighted to provide a testimonial on the peer review process, editorial office support, and the overall quality of the journal. The peer review process at Brain and Neurological Disorders is rigorous and meticulous, ensuring that only high-quality, evidence-based research is published. The reviewers are experts in their fields, and their comments and suggestions were constructive and helped improve the quality of my manuscript. The review process was timely and efficient, with clear communication from the editorial office at each stage. The support from the editorial office was exceptional throughout the entire process. The editorial staff was responsive, professional, and always willing to help. They provided valuable guidance on formatting, structure, and ethical considerations, making the submission process seamless. Moreover, they kept me informed about the status of my manuscript and provided timely updates, which made the process less stressful. The journal Brain and Neurological Disorders is of the highest quality, with a strong focus on publishing cutting-edge research in the field of neurology. The articles published in this journal are well-researched, rigorously peer-reviewed, and written by experts in the field. The journal maintains high standards, ensuring that readers are provided with the most up-to-date and reliable information on brain and neurological disorders. In conclusion, I had a wonderful experience publishing in Brain and Neurological Disorders. The peer review process was thorough, the editorial office provided exceptional support, and the journal's quality is second to none. I would highly recommend this journal to any researcher working in the field of neurology and brain disorders.
Dear Agrippa Hilda, Journal of Neuroscience and Neurological Surgery, Editorial Coordinator, I trust this message finds you well. I want to extend my appreciation for considering my article for publication in your esteemed journal. I am pleased to provide a testimonial regarding the peer review process and the support received from your editorial office. The peer review process for my paper was carried out in a highly professional and thorough manner. The feedback and comments provided by the authors were constructive and very useful in improving the quality of the manuscript. This rigorous assessment process undoubtedly contributes to the high standards maintained by your journal.
International Journal of Clinical Case Reports and Reviews. I strongly recommend to consider submitting your work to this high-quality journal. The support and availability of the Editorial staff is outstanding and the review process was both efficient and rigorous.
Thank you very much for publishing my Research Article titled “Comparing Treatment Outcome Of Allergic Rhinitis Patients After Using Fluticasone Nasal Spray And Nasal Douching" in the Journal of Clinical Otorhinolaryngology. As Medical Professionals we are immensely benefited from study of various informative Articles and Papers published in this high quality Journal. I look forward to enriching my knowledge by regular study of the Journal and contribute my future work in the field of ENT through the Journal for use by the medical fraternity. The support from the Editorial office was excellent and very prompt. I also welcome the comments received from the readers of my Research Article.
Dear Erica Kelsey, Editorial Coordinator of Cancer Research and Cellular Therapeutics Our team is very satisfied with the processing of our paper by your journal. That was fast, efficient, rigorous, but without unnecessary complications. We appreciated the very short time between the submission of the paper and its publication on line on your site.
I am very glad to say that the peer review process is very successful and fast and support from the Editorial Office. Therefore, I would like to continue our scientific relationship for a long time. And I especially thank you for your kindly attention towards my article. Have a good day!
"We recently published an article entitled “Influence of beta-Cyclodextrins upon the Degradation of Carbofuran Derivatives under Alkaline Conditions" in the Journal of “Pesticides and Biofertilizers” to show that the cyclodextrins protect the carbamates increasing their half-life time in the presence of basic conditions This will be very helpful to understand carbofuran behaviour in the analytical, agro-environmental and food areas. We greatly appreciated the interaction with the editor and the editorial team; we were particularly well accompanied during the course of the revision process, since all various steps towards publication were short and without delay".
I would like to express my gratitude towards you process of article review and submission. I found this to be very fair and expedient. Your follow up has been excellent. I have many publications in national and international journal and your process has been one of the best so far. Keep up the great work.
We are grateful for this opportunity to provide a glowing recommendation to the Journal of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy. We found that the editorial team were very supportive, helpful, kept us abreast of timelines and over all very professional in nature. The peer review process was rigorous, efficient and constructive that really enhanced our article submission. The experience with this journal remains one of our best ever and we look forward to providing future submissions in the near future.
I am very pleased to serve as EBM of the journal, I hope many years of my experience in stem cells can help the journal from one way or another. As we know, stem cells hold great potential for regenerative medicine, which are mostly used to promote the repair response of diseased, dysfunctional or injured tissue using stem cells or their derivatives. I think Stem Cell Research and Therapeutics International is a great platform to publish and share the understanding towards the biology and translational or clinical application of stem cells.
I would like to give my testimony in the support I have got by the peer review process and to support the editorial office where they were of asset to support young author like me to be encouraged to publish their work in your respected journal and globalize and share knowledge across the globe. I really give my great gratitude to your journal and the peer review including the editorial office.
I am delighted to publish our manuscript entitled "A Perspective on Cocaine Induced Stroke - Its Mechanisms and Management" in the Journal of Neuroscience and Neurological Surgery. The peer review process, support from the editorial office, and quality of the journal are excellent. The manuscripts published are of high quality and of excellent scientific value. I recommend this journal very much to colleagues.
Dr.Tania Muñoz, My experience as researcher and author of a review article in The Journal Clinical Cardiology and Interventions has been very enriching and stimulating. The editorial team is excellent, performs its work with absolute responsibility and delivery. They are proactive, dynamic and receptive to all proposals. Supporting at all times the vast universe of authors who choose them as an option for publication. The team of review specialists, members of the editorial board, are brilliant professionals, with remarkable performance in medical research and scientific methodology. Together they form a frontline team that consolidates the JCCI as a magnificent option for the publication and review of high-level medical articles and broad collective interest. I am honored to be able to share my review article and open to receive all your comments.
“The peer review process of JPMHC is quick and effective. Authors are benefited by good and professional reviewers with huge experience in the field of psychology and mental health. The support from the editorial office is very professional. People to contact to are friendly and happy to help and assist any query authors might have. Quality of the Journal is scientific and publishes ground-breaking research on mental health that is useful for other professionals in the field”.
Dear editorial department: On behalf of our team, I hereby certify the reliability and superiority of the International Journal of Clinical Case Reports and Reviews in the peer review process, editorial support, and journal quality. Firstly, the peer review process of the International Journal of Clinical Case Reports and Reviews is rigorous, fair, transparent, fast, and of high quality. The editorial department invites experts from relevant fields as anonymous reviewers to review all submitted manuscripts. These experts have rich academic backgrounds and experience, and can accurately evaluate the academic quality, originality, and suitability of manuscripts. The editorial department is committed to ensuring the rigor of the peer review process, while also making every effort to ensure a fast review cycle to meet the needs of authors and the academic community. Secondly, the editorial team of the International Journal of Clinical Case Reports and Reviews is composed of a group of senior scholars and professionals with rich experience and professional knowledge in related fields. The editorial department is committed to assisting authors in improving their manuscripts, ensuring their academic accuracy, clarity, and completeness. Editors actively collaborate with authors, providing useful suggestions and feedback to promote the improvement and development of the manuscript. We believe that the support of the editorial department is one of the key factors in ensuring the quality of the journal. Finally, the International Journal of Clinical Case Reports and Reviews is renowned for its high- quality articles and strict academic standards. The editorial department is committed to publishing innovative and academically valuable research results to promote the development and progress of related fields. The International Journal of Clinical Case Reports and Reviews is reasonably priced and ensures excellent service and quality ratio, allowing authors to obtain high-level academic publishing opportunities in an affordable manner. I hereby solemnly declare that the International Journal of Clinical Case Reports and Reviews has a high level of credibility and superiority in terms of peer review process, editorial support, reasonable fees, and journal quality. Sincerely, Rui Tao.
Clinical Cardiology and Cardiovascular Interventions I testity the covering of the peer review process, support from the editorial office, and quality of the journal.
Clinical Cardiology and Cardiovascular Interventions, we deeply appreciate the interest shown in our work and its publication. It has been a true pleasure to collaborate with you. The peer review process, as well as the support provided by the editorial office, have been exceptional, and the quality of the journal is very high, which was a determining factor in our decision to publish with you.
The peer reviewers process is quick and effective, the supports from editorial office is excellent, the quality of journal is high. I would like to collabroate with Internatioanl journal of Clinical Case Reports and Reviews journal clinically in the future time.
Clinical Cardiology and Cardiovascular Interventions, I would like to express my sincerest gratitude for the trust placed in our team for the publication in your journal. It has been a true pleasure to collaborate with you on this project. I am pleased to inform you that both the peer review process and the attention from the editorial coordination have been excellent. Your team has worked with dedication and professionalism to ensure that your publication meets the highest standards of quality. We are confident that this collaboration will result in mutual success, and we are eager to see the fruits of this shared effort.
