Arterial Thrombosis in Acute Respiratory Infections: An Underestimated but Clinically Relevant Problem

Area of Science:

• Pulmonary Medicine
• Infectious Diseases
• Cardiovascular Medicine

Background:

• Thrombotic complications of acute respiratory infections gained attention during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Studies indicate thrombus formation in COVID-19 affects both venous and arterial systems.
• Pre-pandemic research established links between viral/bacterial respiratory infections and thrombotic events like myocardial infarction, stroke, and pulmonary embolism.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review existing evidence on thrombotic complications in acute lower respiratory tract infections.
• To explore the pathogenesis of thrombosis associated with respiratory infections.
• To contextualize COVID-19-related thrombosis within the broader history of respiratory disease-associated thrombosis.

Main Methods:

• Narrative review of pre-pandemic and pandemic-era literature.
• Synthesis of clinical reports and pathological studies.
• Analysis of evidence on thrombotic complications in viral and bacterial respiratory infections.

Main Results:

• Respiratory infections, viral and bacterial, are associated with increased risk of arterial and venous thrombosis.
• Thrombotic complications include myocardial infarction, ischemic stroke, and pulmonary embolism.
• The understanding of thrombosis in respiratory infections predates the COVID-19 pandemic.

Conclusions:

• Thrombosis is a significant complication of acute lower respiratory tract infections, a fact recognized before COVID-19.
• Further research is needed to fully understand the pathogenesis and management of thrombosis in these infections.
• Contextualizing COVID-19 thrombosis requires acknowledging pre-existing knowledge on respiratory infection-associated thrombosis.