COVID-19 INFECTION AND BUERGER'S SYNDROME: A CASE REPORT

COVID-19 caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is re-sponsible for the recent global pandemic, with increasing number of cases reported globally. Our understanding of this novel respiratory virus deepens, it is increasingly clear that its effects extend beyond that of the respiratory system and can be extended to the almost all organ systems. SARS-CoV-2 causes lung inflammation which progresses to cytokine storm in the most severe cases. The lungs of patients with COVID-19 show extensive alveolar and interstitial inflamma- tion. COVID-19 causes a spectrum of complications, with frequent involvement of the hemostatic system and there is a high incidence of venous thromboembolism in hospitalized COVID-19 patients, particularly those with severe illness. There is evidence of current body knowledge that COVID-19 induced by microvascular angiopathy can lead to a wide range of tissue pathology and clinical complications, such as Kawasaki disease, Buerger's syndrome and other systemic inflammatory disorders. Thromboangiitis obliterans (TAO) or Buerger's disease is a segmental occlusive inflammatory condition of arteries and veins, characterized by thrombosis and recana- lization of the affected vessels. Limb infection at diagnosis was associated with a 4-fold higher risk of amputation. Smoking cessation was strongly associated with a lower rate of vascular events and amputation. TAO appears more likely to be a systemic disorder rather than a localized vasculopathy. Therefore, treatment protocols based on systemic treatment of TAO patients may be more helpful than localized treatment, such as bypass surgery and endovascular procedures.We present a case of a 53-years-old male with positive SARS-CoV-2 PCR test. Furter exami- nation showed that patient had pneumonia, moreover, based on the duplex scan results the diag- nosis of thromboangiitis obliterans (TAO) or Buerger's disease was confirmed. This disease itself is associated with a high risk of thrombosis and alongside with COVID-19 can cause unpredict-able outcome. Patient underwent the day-round observation, received the appropriate treatment and was successfully discharged from the hospital on the day 11.