A Rare Case of Acute Mesenteric Ischemia in the Setting of COVID-19 Infection

Abstract

Severe respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is well known for causing respiratory and other extrapulmonary manifestations. Patients infected with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) may demonstrate atypical presentations with gastrointestinal symptoms. Clinicians managing these patients should reserve a high index of suspicion for the rare complication of acute mesenteric ischemia (AMI). It is a challenging diagnosis that is often missed when presenting symptoms are subtle and nonspecific like nausea, emesis, or diarrhea. Outcomes are typically catastrophic and fatal as bowel ischemia progresses to necrosis but may be averted with timely diagnostic and therapeutic methods to swiftly restore blood flow.