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Published on: May 24, 2020
Thrombotic complications of COVID-19
Jacob Avila1, Brit Long2, Dallas Holladay3
1Department of Emergency Medicine University of Kentucky, United States of America.
Insights
COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) can cause serious thrombotic complications due to a hyperinflammatory response. Emergency Medicine clinicians must recognize these vascular events to reduce patient morbidity and mortality.
Area of Science:
- Internal Medicine
- Cardiology
- Vascular Medicine
Background:
- The novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is linked to substantial morbidity and mortality.
- Thrombotic complications are increasingly recognized as a significant factor in COVID-19's disease course.
Purpose of the Study:
- This narrative review synthesizes information on thrombotic complications associated with COVID-19.
- The review focuses on providing critical insights for Emergency Medicine clinicians.
Main Methods:
- This study is a narrative review of existing literature.
- The review synthesizes reported thrombotic complications and their association with COVID-19.
Main Results:
- COVID-19-associated thrombotic complications are attributed to a hyperinflammatory response.
- Reported complications include acute limb ischemia, aortic thrombosis, mesenteric ischemia, myocardial infarction, venous thromboembolism, stroke, and disseminated intravascular coagulation.
Conclusions:
- Emergency Medicine clinicians require awareness of COVID-19's thrombotic complications.
- Rapid recognition and treatment are crucial for mitigating morbidity and mortality in affected patients.
Introduction:
The novel coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. The impact of thrombotic complications has been increasingly recognized as an important component of this disease.
Objective:
This narrative review summarizes the thrombotic complications associated with COVID-19 with an emphasis on information for Emergency Medicine clinicians.
Discussion:
Thrombotic complications from COVID-19 are believed to be due to a hyperinflammatory response caused by the virus. Several complications have been described in the literature. These include acute limb ischemia, abdominal and thoracic aortic thrombosis, mesenteric ischemia, myocardial infarction, venous thromboembolism, acute cerebrovascular accident, and disseminated intravascular coagulation.
Conclusion:
It is important for Emergency Medicine clinicians to be aware of the thrombotic complications of COVID-19. Knowledge of these components are essential to rapidly recognize and treat to reduce morbidity and mortality in these patients.
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