Coronary Stent Thrombosis in COVID-19 Patients: A Systematic Review of Cases Reported Worldwide

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Infectious Diseases
• Public Health

Background:

• Percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) are common, but stent-related complications like stent thrombosis are a significant concern.
• Stent thrombosis, though rare, has severe consequences, including myocardial infarction and death.
• Understanding predictors and timing of stent thrombosis in different patient groups is crucial due to limited progress in outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review and analyze worldwide data on coronary stent thrombosis cases associated with Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19).
• To investigate the potential link between COVID-19-induced inflammation and increased risk of stent thrombosis.
• To address the lack of comprehensive studies on stent thrombosis in COVID-19 patients.

Main Methods:

• Systematic review and worldwide analysis of published coronary stent thrombosis cases related to COVID-19.
• Summarization of all available data on in-stent thrombosis occurrence during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Analysis of patient subgroups to identify potential predictors, frequency, and timing of stent thrombosis.

Main Results:

• In-stent thrombosis occurrence was observed to increase during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• COVID-19 activates inflammatory mechanisms, potentially creating a prothrombotic state and increasing stent thrombosis risk.
• Comprehensive data on this specific patient population remains limited, highlighting the need for further research.

Conclusions:

• COVID-19 infection is associated with an increased risk of coronary stent thrombosis.
• Further research is needed to fully understand the mechanisms, predictors, and optimal management of stent thrombosis in COVID-19 patients.
• This review consolidates existing data, providing a foundation for future investigations into this critical public health issue.