TheRussMartinShow
779
19
1
It’s kind of hard to tell here, but the black area in the middle is a right Common Femoral Artery. COVID has caused the artery walls to become inflamed. This narrows the available space for blood to flow, and also greatly increases the chance of forming blood clots.
This is the femoral artery on the same patients left side. The artery walls are better visualized here. On a normal artery, you will barely see the vessel wall, and the open area in the middle will be widely patent. The 3 vessel wall layers (tunica intima, media and adventitia are clearly visible...not good).
This is a blood clot is a different COVID patients left popliteal vein (behind the knee). Covid affects the cells on the lining of the artery/vein walls, making them rougher and more likely@to cause thrombus. Venous clots can lead@to emboli events like PE’s (blood clots in the lungs) which can be fatal.
This is a view of that same clot in a sagital (long) view.
Some blood flow remains, but it is at risk of embolism.
baconthatisall
I'm in no way medically inclined but can't blood clots kill you?
TheRussMartinShow
Depends on what vessel they’re in, whether it’s an artery or a vein, or whether it travels somewhere else. Yes, it can kill for sure
TheCapedCommentator
Very interesting! Thank you!
TheRussMartinShow
No, thank you! I should have done a better job with this post, like posting what normal looks like vs abnormal. Hard for the layman to 1/2
TheRussMartinShow
Know what it is I’m inspecting. Maybe I’ll put together a much larger post soon that goes into more depth! 2/2
TheCapedCommentator
That's a very good idea! Just for feedback if you do: I'm a layman, but quite interested in medicine, I found it quite easy to follow
TheCapedCommentator
Also may I propose to also add other issues common in COVID-19 patients?
TheRussMartinShow
Will do! Maybe I’ll get a chance tomorrow if work is slower.