TITLE:
Segmental Arterial Mediolysis in a Patient with Respiratory Syncytial Virus
AUTHORS:
Angela A. Cao, Eva Elder, Daniel Girgis, Allen Bergstedt, Courtney Burnett
KEYWORDS:
Segmental Arterial Mediolysis, Arterial Thrombosis, Anticoagulation, Dissection, RSV Complications
JOURNAL NAME:
Case Reports in Clinical Medicine,
Vol.14 No.8,
August
18,
2025
ABSTRACT: We report a case of segmental arterial mediolysis (SAM) in a 45-year-old man with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). He presented with acute abdominal pain following a week of forceful coughing. Blood tests showed elevated inflammatory markers. CT angiography revealed arterial thrombi and a splenic infarct. Hypercoagulable studies were unrevealing and inconsistent with vasculitis or thrombophilia. The patient was diagnosed with SAM and started on apixaban, and a repeat CT showed improvement of arterial flow after one month. This case highlights a potential link between viral cough and the development of SAM and highlights the use of anticoagulation in treatment.