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Severe COVID-19 illness is associated with intense inflammation, leading to high rates of thrombotic complications that increase morbidity and mortality. Markedly elevated levels of D-dimer with normal fibrinogen levels are the hallmark laboratory findings of severe COVID-19-associated coagulopathy. Prophylaxis against venous thromboembolism is paramount for all hospitalized patients with COVID-19, with more aggressive prophylaxis and screening recommended for critically ill patients with D-dimer levels above 3.0 μg/mL. Point-of-care ultrasonography is the imaging method of choice for patients at high risk, as it entails minimal risk of exposing providers to the virus., (Copyright © 2020 The Cleveland Clinic Foundation. All Rights Reserved.)

Most patients with lower extremity peripheral arterial disease (PAD) are asymptomatic. Although intermittent claudication is the classic presenting symptom in those who are symptomatic, PAD often presents atypically as a result of associated comorbidities. The differential diagnosis involves consideration of many nonvascular and nonatherosclerotic causes of exercise-associated leg pain. Weak or absent pulses are the hallmark physical finding of PAD, and the ankle-brachial index is the most efficient objective test for documenting it. PAD may progress to acute limb ischemia (acute deterioration of limb flow) or critical limb ischemia (chronic compromise in limb perfusion which resulting in rest pain and tissue loss), both of can lead to limb loss without timely treatment.