Abstract
The COVID-19 disease caused by novel Coronavirus was first reported in Wuhan, China in December 2019 with 5% patients having severe lung injury. Though this disease primarily presents as a lower respiratory tract infection, multiple digestive manifestations have been reported which are often overlooked. The present case report describes the unusual progression of COVID-19 disease from pneumonia to a procoagulant state leading to superior mesenteric artery thrombosis and subsequent gut ischemia necessitating emergency laparotomy. Coagulopathy in COVID-19 is due to an imbalance in the coagulation homeostasis with increase in thrombocytes in contrast to thrombocytopenia documented in cases of dissemination intravascular coagulation and sepsis. Early recognition of abdominal symptoms, diagnosis of pathology and timely surgical intervention may definitely improve outcome. In the management of any patient with COVID-19 disease, we advocate a comprehensive integrated approach with early recognition of digestive symptoms and their timely intervention which should run parallel to the respiratory management.
Superior Mesenteric Artery Thrombosis in COVID-19 Pneumonia: an Underestimated Diagnosis—First Case Report in Asia
