Triple whammy in a patient with portal vein thrombosis

Abstract

Infection with SARS-CoV-2 has been shown to predispose to thromboembolic events. The risk of such thromboses further increases in those with underlying inherited or acquired prothrombotic states. The authors present a 30-year-old lady who developed acute abdominal pain, three days after recovery from a mild COVID-19 infection. She was also using oral contraceptive pills. Laboratory investigations revealed elevated inflammatory markers, and a contrast-enhanced abdominal CT scan demonstrated portal vein thrombosis (PVT). Due to the unusual site of thrombosis, a thrombophilia screen was performed, which detected a heterozygous Factor V Leiden mutation (FVL). Thus, her PVT was attributed three simultaneous risk factors, namely COVID-19 infection, OCP use and FVL mutation. She was initiated on anti-coagulation, with which she improved significantly. In patients presenting with thromboses at uncommon sites, investigation for evidence of recent Covid-19 infection and screening for inherited and acquired thrombophilia should be considered, while discontinuing any offending medications.