Case Report: Acute lower limb ischemia in a recovered COVID-19 patient

Abstract

Arterial thrombosis is rarely reported in relation to COVID-19 patients. It occurs mostly in critical patients especially those with acute respiratory distress syndrome and patients in intensive care units. The cause of arterial thrombosis is mostly related to a cytokine storm.  However, limited studies are available regarding arterial thrombosis in COVID-19 disease. Here, we present a case of lower limb ischemia in a moderately symptomatic COVID-19 patient in Iraq within three days after recovery from COVID-19. The patient presented with  severe right lower limb pain, forefoot, cyanosed toes, and lower limb ischemia was diagnosed by physical examination and ultrasound. The patient was successfully treated by anticoagulant drugs. Our case alerts healthcare workers that they need to be more cautious of life threatening COVID-19 complications in order to begin early and effective preventive measures.