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In Vitro Microfluidic Disease Model to Study Whole Blood-Endothelial Interactions and Blood Clot Dynamics in Real-Time
Published on: May 24, 2020
COVID-19 infection and thrombosis
Swati Srivastava1, Iti Garg1, Anju Bansal1
1Genomics Group, Defence Institute of Physiology and Allied Science, Lucknow Road, Timarpur, Delhi 110054, India.
Insights
COVID-19 infection can cause dangerous blood clots due to inflammation and coagulation issues. Monitoring clotting factors and using anticoagulants can help prevent and treat thrombosis in patients.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Hematology
- Critical Care Medicine
Background:
- COVID-19, caused by SARS-CoV-2, is linked to abnormal blood clot formation.
- Viral infection triggers inflammation, endothelial damage, and coagulation cascade dysfunction.
- This can lead to disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) and coagulopathy, increasing thrombosis risk.
Discussion:
- This report synthesizes research on COVID-19-associated thrombosis and therapeutic strategies.
- It reviews studies on coagulopathy, elevated D-dimer, fibrinogen, and altered coagulation parameters (PT, PTT, platelets).
- Clinical implications for managing COVID-19 patients with clotting complications are discussed.
Key Insights:
- COVID-19 patients exhibit elevated D-dimer, FDP, and abnormal coagulation parameters.
- Thrombosis and coagulopathy are significant complications, potentially leading to mortality.
- Early screening of coagulation parameters is crucial for risk assessment.
Outlook:
- Clinicians should exercise caution when treating COVID-19 patients.
- Regular monitoring of coagulation parameters is recommended throughout treatment.
- Anticoagulant therapy serves as a thromboprophylaxis measure, requiring individualized dosing and duration.
Background:
Recent reports on outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus (COVID-19) have shown its association with abnormal blood clots. The viral infection initiates inflammatory responses leading to endothelial damage and coagulation cascade dysfnction. Spread of COVID-19 has been associated with disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) and subsequent coagulopathy. Initially coagulopathy in COVID-19 patients result in significant elevation of D-dimer, fibrin/fibrinogen degradation products (FDP), and abnormalities in coagulatory parameters, which resulting in formation of thrombus and eventually death.
Methodology:
Present report intends to summarize the information of the research reports available so far on the complications of formation of unusal blood clots (thrombosis) during COVID-19 infection and its therapeutic strategies. Extensive web search was done for various reports associating COVID-19 infection with increased coagulopathy and abnormal coagulatory parameters such as PT, PTT, and platelet counts; along with increased D-dimer and fibrinogen levels.
Results And Conclusion:
Findings of these research reports were summarized to recommend cautions for clinicians while treating COVID-19 patient. Screening of coagulatory parameters upon admission and during entire course of treatment is recommended, especially those who are at increased risk of thrombosis. Also, anticoagulant treatment can be used as thromboprophylaxis measure. Dose and duration of anticoagulation treatment requirement may vary and thus regular monitoring is needed.
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