Vaccine-Induced Thrombotic Thrombocytopenia: A Case of Splanchnic Veins Thrombosis

Abstract

Vaccines have been vital in preventing and curbing the spread of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Adenoviral vector-based vaccines, namely the ChAdOx1-S vaccine (AstraZeneca, Cambridge, UK) and Ad26.COV2.S (Janssen; Johnson & Johnson, New Brunswick, NJ, USA), have been associated with a possibly fatal adverse event known as vaccine-induced thrombotic thrombocytopenia (VITT), wherein thrombi form in unusual sites, mainly the cerebral and splanchnic veins. With the female gender predominantly affected, patients present with headache, abdominal pain, neurological symptoms and fever. It is hypothesized that certain components of the vaccine, including the adenovirus vector, may trigger the formation of antibodies against platelet factor 4 (PF4). The antigen-antibody complexes that form thereafter then activate a cascade of reactions eventually leading to the consumptive coagulopathy. This pathogenesis closely resembles a well-understood complication of heparin, known as heparin-induced thrombocytopenia. The lab results in VITT are reflective of its proposed pathophysiology: low platelets, low fibrinogen and high D-dimer, in addition to elevated anti-PF4 titers are classic findings. Treatment mainly includes non-heparin anticoagulants, intravenous immune globulin (IVIG) and plasma exchange. There is some role for surgical intervention, such as mechanical thrombectomy. Mortality due to VITT is usually caused by cerebral hemorrhage. We describe a case of a 36-year-old female who presented with epigastric pain two weeks after receiving her first dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine, and upon workup, was subsequently found to have thrombosis of her right portal and right common iliac vein.