Massive pulmonary embolism complicating mild Covid 19 pneumonia: Successful systemic thrombolysis using rt-PA in an elderly patient: A case report

and importance: Pulmonary embolism (PE) is still a major health concern around the world, and its link with SARS Cov-2 has led to an increase in morbidity, mortality, and ICU hospitalizations. We present the case of a 92-year-old man with no prior medical history who admitted to our hospital in a state of acute respiratory failure, echocardiography revealed an acute right heart syndrome with a thrombus in the right atrium, computed tomography pulmonary angiogram revealed bilateral massive pulmonary embolism as well as Covid-19 pneumonia. He was treated with systemic thrombolysis using intravenous rt-PA (recombinant tissue plasminogen activator) with immediate clinical improvement and no hemorrhagic complications. In the presence of the SARs Cov-2 infection, several reports have indicated considerable procoagulant events, including life-threatening pulmonary embolism. There are still no current guidelines for the treatment of VTE in COVID-19 patients, but they are largely consistent with non-COVID-19 recommendations. Elderly patients are considered to be at high risk of developing thromboembolic complications, and also and above all are vulnerable to bleeding complications from anticoagulant treatments. This case highlight the importance of considering thromboembolic complications despite the severity of the associated SARS-cov-2 pneumonia and the role of prophylactic anticoagulation for Covid-19 patients hospitalized or not. •COVID-19 is associated with an increased risk for venous thromboembolism (VTE).•Despite the severity of the Covid19 infection, it is necessary to consider and prevent thromboembolic complications.•Existing guidelines for the management of pulmonary embolism appears to be applicable to COVID-19 patients.•Elderly patients pose important challenges in the management of PE, from its suspicion to its diagnosis and treatment.