Acute Limb Ischemic in COVID-19 Patients after the Several Peaks of Transmission, What Can be Learned? - Abstract
Background: Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been linked to increased incidence of thrombosis. This study aimed to describe the evaluation of COVID-19 patients with ALI (Acute Limb Ischemic) including the incidence, patient characteristics, predisposing factors, and clinical outcomes in our center as an Indonesian tertiary care hospital.
Methods: A retrospective review about COVID-19 patients with ALI was conducted from January 2021 to December 2022. Collected data included patient characteristics, anatomical location of ALI, treatments, and outcomes.
Results: A total of 13 COVID-19 patients with ALI were admitted. During the treatment of ALI and COVID, 1 (8%) patient underwent amputation, 6 (46%) patients underwent thromboembolectomy and 6 (46%) other patients were amputated with thromboembolectomy. There were 3 patients amputated below their knee and 4 patients amputated above their knee. The most affected limbs in our study were inferior extremities (100%).
Conclusion: Early recognition and management of COVID-19 patients with ALI is important to reduce morbidity and mortality. The advantage of open thromboembolectomy was to remove the thrombus, which was expected to improve the blood flow and reduce the amputation level. By conducting earlier interventions, there were better blood flow, less tissue damage, less necrotic tissue, and reduced risk of mortality.