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In the first reported case of its kind, a healthy 85-year-old man developed a rare recurrence of deep-vein blood clots in his upper arm as the result of coronavirus infection, Rutgers researchers report.
The unusual case highlights yet another way the virus that causes COVID-19 can affect people. Beyond the more common respiratory symptoms and loss of taste and smell, the virus can trigger coagulation disorders, especially clots.
“This is of concern, since in 30% of these patients, the blood clot can travel to the lung and be possibly fatal,” said Dr. Payal Parikh, an assistant professor of medicine at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, who led the study along with Martin Blaser, director of the Center for Advanced Biotechnology and Medicine. “Other disabling complications include persistent swelling, pain and arm fatigue.”