Aortic floating thrombus in patients with COVID-19: a report of eight cases.

Background: Thromboembolic events of COVID-19 are due to hyperinflammatory process associated with hypercoagulable state. The aim of the study was to determine characteristics and clinical outcomes of patients with COVID-19 who presented with aortic thrombus.

Methods: We retrospectively conducted a single-center, descriptive study over a period of 1 year and 7 months, between June 2021 and December 2022, involving eight patients with documented SARS-CoV-2 infection associated with aortic thrombus revealed by acute limb ischemia.

Results: The mean age of patients was 67 years with a median of 64, 5 ± 14. Of the eight included patients, six were men and two were women. Aortic thrombus was diagnosed in all cases. Six patients developed one episode of acute limb ischemia and one patient had recurrent upper and lower ischemia despite full anticoagulation whereas one patient had distal embolization with palpable pulses. In six patients, the thrombi were located in descending and abdominal aorta, while two patients presented with ascending aorta floating thrombus. Seven patients required urgent revascularization whereas medical treatment was recommended for one patient. The primary outcomes were successful in five cases, one patient had to be amputated above elbow, whereas two patients died due to a rapid deterioration of respiratory condition.

Conclusion: Aortic thrombosis is a rare clinical presentation in SARS-CoV-2 infection but with potentially fatal embolic complication. Physicians should maintain a high degree of clinical suspicion to diagnose thromboembolic consequences of SARS-CoV-2 infection for timely management and avoiding morbidities like ischemic stroke and major amputations.