Generalized thrombosis in a patient with ongoing asymptomatic COVID-19

Overview

In the case report, the authors describe the death of a 48-year-old man with several chronic diseases, like an arterial hypertension, chronic ischemic heart disease and diabetes, 2nd type, in the field of asymptomatic covid pneumonia due to massive pulmonary thromboembolism. Atypical findings at autopsy were the unusual appearance, structure and location of blood clots, which were found in several arteries and veins in almost all areas of the body. At the autopsy it was really difficult to decide, if the found blood cloths are “vital” thrombes, or typical postmortal coagulation of blood, mostly due to their glossy appearance (typical for postmortal coagulation of blood) and strange resistance. An assumtion for thrombosis was proven by microscopical examination of some tissue samples. Based on several performed autopsies and expert articles, the authors want to point out the connection between COVID-19 disease and atypical thromboembolic complications. Demonstration of similar deaths may be helpful in the future in diagnosis and especially in preventive treatment, or in its research in patients with Covid-19.

Keywords:

COVID-19 – thrombosis – unexpected death