Nephrotic Syndrome Complicated by Pulmonary Embolism and Inferior Vena Cava Thrombosis: A Case Report

Cureus. 2024 Oct 17;16(10):e71698. doi: 10.7759/cureus.71698. eCollection 2024 Oct.

Abstract

This article presents the case of a 52-year-old male who arrived at the emergency department with escalating chest pain and shortness of breath. An urgent CT scan revealed a right pulmonary embolism and inferior vena cava thrombus, prompting immediate anticoagulant therapy. Further diagnostic evaluations confirmed nephrotic syndrome (NS). The patient was discharged on apixaban, ramipril, amlodipine, and atorvastatin. A subsequent renal biopsy showed features consistent with minimal change disease, which resolved spontaneously without the need for steroid treatment. This case highlights the potentially life-threatening presentation of multiple venous thromboses as an initial manifestation of NS.

Keywords: case report; deep vein thrombosis (dvt); inferior vena cava thrombus; nephrotic syndrome; pulmonary embolism.

Publication types

  • Case Reports