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Published on: August 4, 2023
COVID-19-Associated Coagulopathy in the Peripartum Setting: A Case Report
Ashley Allen1, Christine Hoang1, Roopina Sangha1
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, John Peter Smith Hospital, Fort Worth, Texas.
Insights
COVID-19-induced coagulopathy in postpartum patients is difficult to manage. Further studies are needed to validate D-dimer and Sepsis-induced coagulopathy (SIC) scoring in this unique patient population.
Area of Science:
- Critical Care Medicine
- Obstetrics
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- COVID-19-induced coagulopathy (CIC) management is challenging, particularly in the peripartum period.
- Current diagnostic tools like Sepsis-induced coagulopathy (SIC) scoring and D-dimer levels have unclear utility in postpartum CIC.
- Anticoagulation guidance for peripartum CIC remains ambiguous.
Observation:
- A critically ill postpartum patient with COVID-19 developed acute respiratory failure.
- The patient required mechanical ventilation and cesarean delivery, initially improving postoperatively.
- Deterioration occurred on postoperative day 5, with a significantly elevated D-dimer (58 μg/mL), prompting escalated anticoagulation.
Findings:
- The case highlights diagnostic and therapeutic challenges in managing CIC during the peripartum phase.
- Elevated D-dimer levels were observed, necessitating increased anticoagulation therapy.
- The patient ultimately succumbed to gram-positive bacteremia after prolonged ventilation.
Implications:
- This case underscores the complexity of recognizing and managing CIC in postpartum women.
- There is a critical need for research to validate D-dimer and SIC scoring in the peripartum population.
- Establishing clear anticoagulation protocols for peripartum CIC is essential for improved patient outcomes.
Abstract:
Sepsis-induced coagulopathy (SIC) scoring and D-dimer can be used to recognize COVID-19-induced coagulopathy, but the utility of these is largely unknown in the peripartum setting and leaves anticoagulation guidance unclear. We present the case of a critically ill postpartum patient with COVID-19 infection. This patient presented with clinical signs of COVID-19 infection and developed acute respiratory failure requiring invasive mechanical ventilation and subsequent cesarean delivery at 34 weeks. She initially improved postoperatively but deteriorated after postoperative day 5. She was found to have a very elevated D-dimer of 58 μg/mL and anticoagulation was escalated to full dosing. She required prolonged mechanical ventilation and deceased after developing gram-positive cocci bacteremia. This case demonstrates that recognition and management of COVID-19-associated coagulopathy can be confusing in the peripartum period and studies are needed to validate D-dimer and SIC scoring in this population of patients.
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