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Cardiol Rev
. 2020 Sep 17.
doi: 10.1097/CRD.0000000000000347. Online ahead of print.
Thrombotic Complications of COVID-19 Infection: A Review
Rebecca Castro 1 , William H Frishman 2
Affiliations
- PMID: 32947478
- DOI: 10.1097/CRD.0000000000000347
Abstract
The novel coronavirus (COVID-19 or SARS-CoV-2) is a single-stranded, enveloped RNA virus that created a Public Health Emergency of International Concern in January 2020, with a global case burden of over 15 million in just seven months. Infected patients develop a wide range of clinical manifestations - typically presenting with fever, cough, myalgia, and fatigue. Severely-ill patients may fall victim to acute respiratory distress syndrome, acute heart injuries, neurological manifestations, or complications due to secondary infections. These critically-ill patients are also found to have disrupted coagulation function, predisposing them to consumptive coagulopathies, and both venous and thromboembolic complications. Common laboratory findings include thrombocytopenia, elevated D-dimer, fibrin degradation products, and fibrinogen, all of which have been associated with greater disease severity. Many cases of pulmonary embolism have been noted, along with deep vein thrombosis, ischemic stroke, myocardial infarction and systemic arterial embolism. The pathogenesis of COVID-19 has not been completely elucidated, but the virus is known to cause excessive inflammation, endothelial injury, hypoxia, and disseminated intravascular coagulation, all of which contribute to thrombosis formation. These patients are also faced with prolonged immobilization while staying in the hospital or intensive care unit. It is important to have a high degree of suspicion for thrombotic complications as patients may rapidly deteriorate in severe cases. Evidence suggests that prophylaxis with anticoagulation may lead to a lower risk of mortality, although it does not eliminate the possibility. The risks and benefits of anticoagulation treatment should be considered in each case. Patients should be regularly evaluated for bleeding risks and thrombotic complications.