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Hypercoagulopathy in Severe COVID-19: Implications for Acute Care
Alicia A C Waite1,2, David O Hamilton2, Roberto Pizzi3
1Institute for Life Course and Medical Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom.
Insights
COVID-19-associated coagulopathy (CAC) involves blood clotting issues, contributing to hypoxia. This review covers CAC diagnosis, treatment, and prevention strategies in acute care settings.
Area of Science:
- Emergency Medicine
- Critical Care
- Hematology
Background:
- COVID-19 pandemic has led to over 21 million global cases.
- COVID-19-associated coagulopathy (CAC) presents as hypercoagulability and immunothrombosis.
- CAC contributes to hypoxia and venous thromboembolism in affected patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the diagnosis and treatment of CAC in emergency and intensive care settings.
- To summarize the pathological mechanisms and complications of CAC.
- To discuss current thromboprophylaxis and anticoagulation strategies for CAC.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of COVID-19-associated coagulopathy.
- Summary of pathological mechanisms and clinical manifestations.
- Analysis of diagnostic and therapeutic approaches in acute care.
Main Results:
- CAC is characterized by hypercoagulability, immunothrombosis, and venous thromboembolism.
- Complications include pulmonary thrombosis and venous thromboembolic events.
- Effective diagnosis and management are crucial for patient outcomes.
Conclusions:
- Timely diagnosis and appropriate management of CAC are essential in acute care.
- Understanding pathological mechanisms informs treatment strategies.
- Current strategies focus on thromboprophylaxis and therapeutic anticoagulation.
Abstract:
COVID-19 was first described in late 2019 and has since developed into a pandemic affecting more than 21 million people worldwide. Of particular relevance for acute care is the occurrence of COVID-19-associated coagulopathy (CAC), which is characterised by hypercoagulability, immunothrombosis and venous thromboembolism, and contributes to hypoxia in a significant proportion of patients. This review describes diagnosis and treatment of CAC in the emergency department and in intensive care. We summarise the pathological mechanisms and common complications of CAC such as pulmonary thrombosis and venous thromboembolic events and discuss current strategies for thromboprophylaxis and therapeutic anti-coagulation in the acute care setting.
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