Pulmonary embolism complicating the course of COVID-19 – an underestimated condition?

Abstract

SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2) was discovered in Wuhan, China at the end of 2019 and is believed to be the cause of COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019). There is some evidence that SARS-CoV-2 infection can be complicated by pulmonary embolism. However, the pathomechanism of this relation is not fully understood, and data are still limited. The real incidence of this condition is not known, and available papers in the literature on this issue comprise case presentations and one report from a prospective multicentre study published very recently. Pulmonary angiography computed tomography seems to play a crucial role, allowing early and proper diagnosis of this condition. The timely recognition of pulmonary embolism is essential for the implementation of anticoagulant treatment.