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Dynamic Coagulation Function Changes in COVID-19 Survivors With Coronary Artery Disease
Jianjun Zhang1, Junqi Yin2, Yucheng Jin2
1Department of Clinical Laboratory, Shanghai Pudong Hospital, Fudan University Pudong Medical Center, Shanghai, China.
Insights
Coronary artery disease patients with prior COVID-19 infection show lasting hypercoagulability and high neutrophil levels for two years post-discharge. Standard treatments may not fully resolve this increased clotting risk.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Hematology
Background:
- Coronary artery disease (CAD) and Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) independently increase thrombotic risk.
- The long-term interaction between these conditions and post-COVID-19 hypercoagulability in CAD patients is not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate dynamic changes in coagulation function in COVID-19 survivors with CAD over a two-year follow-up.
- To assess the impact of prior COVID-19 infection on hypercoagulability and neutrophil levels in CAD patients.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 117 CAD patients (60 COVID-19 positive, 57 controls).
- Thromboelastography (TEG) and conventional coagulation tests performed at admission, and one and two years post-discharge.
- Neutrophil, lymphocyte, and platelet counts monitored.
Main Results:
- COVID-19 survivors showed sustained hypercoagulable TEG profiles (accelerated clot initiation, rapid propagation, enhanced strength) at one and two years post-discharge compared to controls (P < 0.05).
- Conventional coagulation tests did not reveal significant between-group differences.
- Elevated neutrophil levels persisted at one and two years post-discharge in the COVID-19 group (P = 0.0353, P = 0.0397).
- Standard antithrombotic therapy did not fully normalize TEG-defined hypercoagulability.
Conclusions:
- CAD patients with a history of COVID-19 exhibit persistent hypercoagulability and elevated neutrophils up to two years post-discharge.
- TEG monitoring and neutrophil surveillance are crucial for managing these patients.
- Individualized anticoagulation strategies are needed, as standard regimens may be insufficient.
Abstract:
Coronary artery disease (CAD) and Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) are both associated with a hypercoagulable state, yet the long-term interaction between these prothrombotic conditions remains poorly characterized. This study investigated dynamic changes in coagulation function among COVID-19 survivors with CAD over a two-year follow-up period. A total of 117 CAD patients admitted to Shanghai Pudong Hospital between March and June 2022 were retrospectively enrolled: 60 with confirmed COVID-19 infection (COVID-19 group) and 57 without COVID-19 (control group). Thromboelastography (TEG) and conventional coagulation tests were performed at admission and at one and two years after discharge. Results showed that at one and two years after discharge, the COVID-19 group exhibited a comprehensive TEG profile indicative of a hypercoagulable state-including accelerated clot initiation, rapid propagation, and enhanced clot strength- compared to the control group (P < 0.05). In contrast, no significant between-group differences were observed in conventional coagulation parameters (P > 0.05). Notably, neutrophil levels in the COVID-19 group were significantly elevated at one and two years after discharge (P = 0.0353 and P = 0.0397, respectively) compared to acute-phase levels, while lymphocyte and platelet counts remained stable. Stratified analysis by antithrombotic intensity further revealed that standard antithrombotic regimens did not fully normalize the TEG-defined hypercoagulability in COVID-19 survivors at two-year follow-up. In conclusion, CAD patients with prior COVID-19 infection demonstrate sustained hypercoagulability and elevated neutrophil levels up to two years after discharge. These findings highlight the importance of TEG-based coagulation monitoring and neutrophil surveillance in CAD patients recovering from COVID-19 and support the need for individualized anticoagulation strategies. Future research should validate these findings in larger, multicenter cohorts and explore the underlying mechanisms and potential therapeutic targets.
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