Sudden development of the upper and lower limb ischemia as the first manifestation of COVID-19 infection.

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE

Atherosclerosis is the most common cause of peripheral vascular disease, and common predisposing causes are inflammation and diabetes. It is over two year that the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the world and costed millions of lives.

CASE PRESENTATION

The patient was a case of COVID-19 infection presenting as acute arterial occlusion in the upper and lower limb.

CLINICAL DISCUSSION

Hyper coagulopathy is one of the COVID-19 outcomes that may develop PAD following the involvement of vascular endothelium in the cytokine storm phase. Endothelial damage following COVID-19, especially in those with underlying diseases such as diabetes mellitus or inflammatory diseases with vascular involvement, can cause acute vascular events.

CONCLUSION

Patients with inflammatory diseases and diabetes are prone to the uncommon symptoms of COVID-19 and more vulnerable to peripheral vascular occlusion, especially when the underlying disease remains uncontrolled, so anticoagulation with therapeutic doses is recommended for their treatment. Inflammation as a predisposing factor for PAD should be controlled using plasmapheresis or anti-inflammatory drugs depending on the patient's condition.