Extrahepatic portal vein thrombosis in a pregnant patient with COVID-19: a rare thrombotic event survivor

A COVID-19 infection predisposes the infected person to thrombotic events. Myocardial infarction, acute limb ischaemia, mesenteric artery thrombosis and pulmonary embolism are all well-documented complications of this infection. Here we describe a pregnant patient who presented with obstructed labour with asymptomatic COVID-19 infection and developed ascites during the postoperative period. Further work-up of the patient revealed portal hypertension due to portal vein thrombosis (PVT). As the patient was healthy before this index pregnancy, a causative link between COVID-19 and PVT cannot be ruled out. Her COVID-19 infection progressed to a moderate disease. She was managed with steroids and appropriate antibiotics for secondary bacterial peritonitis. She was finally discharged after 2.5 months of multidisciplinary treatment. This is a case of a survivor of complications due to pregnancy, COVID-19 and extrahepatic portal vein obstruction.

Automated summary

COVID-19 infection can predispose individuals to thrombotic events, leading to complications such as myocardial infarction and pulmonary embolism. In this case, a pregnant patient with asymptomatic COVID-19 infection developed ascites postoperatively, which was later found to be related to portal vein thrombosis. The patient's condition progressed to a moderate COVID-19 disease, but she was eventually discharged after multidisciplinary treatment for complications related to pregnancy, COVID-19, and portal vein obstruction.