# Free-Floating Thrombus of the Aorta: A Rare Complication of COVID-19-Induced Hypercoagulability

**Authors:** Kamal Shaik, Atika Nayeem, Rayan Ahmed, Wishwdeep Dhillon

PMC · DOI: 10.7759/cureus.58676 · Cureus · 2024-04-21

## TL;DR

A rare aortic blood clot caused by severe clotting from COVID-19 was successfully treated with medication in a 53-year-old woman.

## Contribution

This paper reports a rare case of a free-floating aortic thrombus linked to COVID-19 hypercoagulability.

## Key findings

- A 53-year-old woman developed a free-floating thrombus in her aorta due to COVID-19-related hypercoagulability.
- Anticoagulation therapy successfully treated the condition without the need for invasive procedures.
- Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial to prevent severe complications like stroke or limb ischemia.

## Abstract

Free-floating thrombus (FFT) of the aorta is a rare condition characterized by a nonadherent portion of thrombus floating within the aortic lumen. Hypercoagulability is a well-known complication of COVID-19 infection, and thromboses related to COVID-19-related hypercoagulability commonly present in the form of venous or arterial thrombosis such as deep vein thrombosis (DVT), pulmonary embolism (PE), ischemic stroke, and myocardial infarction. Unfortunately, FFT associated with COVID-19 infection has been rarely reported in the literature. We report the case of a 53-year-old female patient with an unusual presentation of a pedunculated thrombus in the descending thoracic aorta caused by COVID-19-related hypercoagulability. The patient was treated with anticoagulation therapy and did not require invasive procedures. FFT is a rare but potentially catastrophic complication of COVID-19 infection. Rapid diagnosis and treatment are vital to prevent complications like limb ischemia and stroke.

## Linked entities

- **Diseases:** COVID-19 (MONDO:0100096), pulmonary embolism (MONDO:0005279), ischemic stroke (MONDO:1060198), myocardial infarction (MONDO:0005068)

## Full-text entities

- **Diseases:** PE (MESH:D011655), Hypercoagulability (MESH:D019851), FFT (MESH:D013927), ischemic stroke (MESH:D002544), stroke (MESH:D020521), COVID-19 (MESH:D000086382), limb ischemia (MESH:D007511), DVT (MESH:D020246), myocardial infarction (MESH:D009203)
- **Species:** Homo sapiens (human, species) [taxon 9606]

## Full text

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## Figures

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## References

17 references — full list in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC11107137/full.md

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Source: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC11107137