CASE STUDY: A Previously Healthy 26-Year-Old Male Presenting with a Two-Day History of Dyspnea and Fatigue, COVID-19-Associated Portal Vein Thrombosis
Portal vein thrombosis associated with COVID-19 1. Cause and Etiology Portal vein thrombosis (PVT) is defined as the formation of a blood clot within the portal vein or its branches, which can lead to partial or complete obstruction of portal venous flow. When occurring in the setting of COVID-19, it is typically secondary to virus-induced coagulopathy and endothelial injury . Primary cause in COVID-19 : Hypercoagulable state triggered by systemic inflammatory response to SARS-CoV-2. Contributing factors : Direct viral invasion of endothelial cells via ACE2 receptors. Cytokine storm (notably IL-6, TNF-α) inducing widespread inflammation. Immobility and hospitalization. Preexisting comorbidities (e.g., obesity, cancer, or liver disease, though not always present). 2. Pathophysiology The pathogenesis of COVID-19-associated PVT involves Virchow’s triad : Endothelial injury : SARS-CoV-2 infects...