Insights for increased risk of failed fibrinolytic therapy and stent thrombosis associated with COVID-19 in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction patients

Antithrombotic Therapy in Arterial Thrombosis and Thromboembolism in COVID-19: An American College of Chest Physicians Expert Panel Report

BACKGROUND

Evidence increasingly shows that the risk of thrombotic complications in COVID-19 is associated with a hypercoagulable state. Several organizations have released guidelines for the management of COVID-19-related coagulopathy and prevention of VTE. However, an urgent need exists for practical guidance on the management of arterial thrombosis and thromboembolism in this setting.

RESEARCH QUESTION

What is the current available evidence informing the prevention and management of arterial thrombosis and thromboembolism in patients with COVID-19?

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

A group of approved panelists developed key clinical questions by using the Population, Intervention, Comparator, and Outcome (PICO) format that address urgent clinical questions regarding prevention and management of arterial thrombosis and thromboembolism in patients with COVID-19. Using MEDLINE via PubMed, a literature search was conducted and references were screened for inclusion. Data from included studies were summarized and reviewed by the panel. Consensus for the direction and strength of recommendations was achieved using a modified Delphi survey.

RESULTS

The review and analysis of the literature based on 11 PICO questions resulted in 11 recommendations. Overall, a low quality of evidence specific to the population with COVID-19 was found. Consequently, many of the recommendations were based on indirect evidence and prior guidelines in similar populations without COVID-19.

INTERPRETATION

The existing evidence and panel consensus do not suggest a major departure from the management of arterial thrombosis according to recommendations predating the COVID-19 pandemic. Data on the optimal strategies for prevention and management of arterial thrombosis and thromboembolism in patients with COVID-19 are sparse. More high-quality evidence is needed to inform management strategies in these patients.

Comparison of the Efficacy and Safety Profiles of Different P2Y12 Inhibitors in Patients With ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction in the COVID-19 Era

BACKGROUND/AIM

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is characterized by an increased risk of thrombotic and hemorrhagic events resulting from endothelial dysfunction. In patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), the dual antiplatelet therapy used to reduce mortality may increase the risk of bleeding. The study aimed to compare the efficacy and safety profiles of P2Y12 inhibitors used during the COVID-19 era.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Three hundred and ninety patients who underwent primary percutaneous intervention for STEMI between January 1, 2020, and December 31, 2021, were included in this study, retrospectively. The patients were divided into groups according to their COVID-19 history and all-cause mortality, cardiac mortality, stent thrombosis, and bleeding complications during hospitalization and at one-year follow-up were compared.

RESULTS

The mean age of the patients was 64.3 years and the mean follow-up period was 10.2 months; 80% of the patients were male and 44.6% had a history of COVID-19 infection. The in-hospital mortality rate was 11.3%. Cardiac mortality was significantly higher in the clopidogrel group compared to the other groups, regardless of COVID-19 history (21.9% in the clopidogrel group, 1.6% in the prasugrel group, and 6.7% in the ticagrelor group (p<0.001)). There was no significant difference between the groups in terms of bleeding complications and relation to COVID-19.

CONCLUSION

In STEMI patients treated with different P2Y12 inhibitors, there was no significant difference in mortality, bleeding, stroke, and thrombotic complications, regardless of the presence or absence of COVID-19 infection.

COVID-19 and coronary artery disease; A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background and aim

Patients with underlying cardiovascular disorders such as coronary artery disease (CAD) are more prone to severe forms and multiple complications of COVID-19. The present systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to investigate the impact of CAD on patients with COVID-19.

Methods

Main electronic databases, including Medline (via PubMed), EMBASE, and Web of Science, were carefully searched and reviewed for original research articles published between 2019 and 2021. One hundred nine studies that address CAD in patients with COVID-19 were selected and analyzed.

Results

Following search and screening processes, 109 relevant publications were selected for analysis. The meta-analysis of prevalence studies indicated that the frequency of CAD among patients with COVID-19 was reported in 10 countries with an overall frequency of 12.4% [(95% CI) 11.1-13.8] among 20079 COVID-19 patients. According to case reports/case series studies, 50.9% of COVID-19 patients suffered from CAD. Fever was the most common symptom in these patients (47%); 36.5% also had hypertension.

Conclusion

The results obtained during the present study show that the simultaneous presence of COVID-19 and CAD, especially in men and elderly patients, can increase the risks and complications of both diseases. Therefore, careful examination of the condition of this group of patients for timely diagnosis and treatment is strongly recommended.

Thromboembolism in COVID-19: the unsolved problem

INTRODUCTION

The recent Sars-CoV-2 pandemic (COVID-19) has led to growing research to explain the poor clinical prognosis in some patients. While early observational studies highlighted the role of the virus in lung failure, in a second moment thrombosis emerged as a possible explanation of the worse clinical course in some patients. Despite initial difficulties in management of such patients, the constant increase of literature in the field is to date clarifying some questions from clinicians. However, several other questions need answer.

EVIDENCE ACQUISITION

We performed systematic research using Embase and PubMed, inserting the keywords and mesh terms relative to the new coronavirus and to VTE: "COVID-19," "SARS," "MERS," "coronavirus," "2019 n-CoV," venous thromboembolism," "pulmonary embolism," "deep vein thrombosis," "thromboembolism," "thrombosis." Boolean operators "AND," "OR," "NOT" were used where appropriate. We found 133 articles of interest but only 20 were selected, providing the most representative information.

EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS

A novel disease (COVID-19) due to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (Sars-CoV-2) infection was responsible for thousands of hospitalizations for severe acute respiratory syndrome, with several cases of thrombotic complications due to excessive inflammation, platelet activation, endothelial dysfunction, and stasis. COVID-19 and hospitalizations for COVID-19 may carry several potential risk factors for thrombosis. Severe coagulation abnormalities may occur in almost all the severe and critical ill COVID-19 cases.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite a strong pathophysiological rationale, the evidence in literature is not enough to recommend an aggressive antithrombotic therapy in COVID-19. However, it is our opinion that an early use, even at home at the beginning of the disease, could improve the clinical course.

In-stent Thrombosis and COVID-19 Infection: Current Insights on the Mechanistic Relationship

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection has been demonstrated as a major risk factor in inducing coronary stent thrombosis due to its propensity to create a pro-thrombotic state. This review explores the mechanisms that may contribute to the increased thrombosis risk seen in COVID-19. Furthermore, we discuss the patient and haematological factors that predispose to an increased risk of stent thrombosis, as well as the role of certain antiplatelet and anticoagulation therapies, including ticagrelor and enoxaparin, that may reduce the likelihood and severity of in-stent thrombosis, in SARS-CoV-2 infection. To counter the proinflammatory and pro-thrombotic state shown in COVID-19, anti-thrombotic therapy in the future may be optimised using point-of-care platelet inhibition testing and inflammation-modifying therapies. Large-scale randomised trials with long-term follow-up are increasingly necessary to assess the intersection of COVID-19 and stent optimisation as well as the reduction of stent thrombosis after drug-eluting stent (DES) implantation.

Subacute dual stent thromboses in a COVID-19-positive patient

The hypercoagulable state of COVID-19 is resulting in an increasing number of unexpected venous and arterial thromboses in patients. We report a case of subacute dual coronary stent thrombosis in the setting of COVID-19 and we provide a brief review of current management recommendations.

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

Approximately 5 million percutaneous coronary interventions are performed worldwide annually. Therefore, stent-related complications pose a serious public health concern. Stent thrombosis, although rare, is usually catastrophic, often associated with extensive myocardial infarction or death. Because little progress has been made in outcomes following stent thrombosis, ongoing research is focusing on further understanding the predictors as well as frequency and timing in various patient subgroups. Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19), a viral illness caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), activates inflammatory mechanisms that potentially create a prothrombotic environment and increases the risk of local micro thromboembolism and all types of stent thrombosis. In-stent thrombosis occurrence increased during the COVID-19 pandemic, however, there is still lack of comprehensive studies describing this population. This review and worldwide analysis of coronary stent thrombosis cases related to COVID-19 summarizes all available data.

COVID-19 and Panax ginseng: Targeting platelet aggregation, thrombosis and the coagulation pathway

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) not only targets the respiratory system but also triggers a cytokine storm and a series of complications, such as gastrointestinal problems, acute kidney injury, and myocardial ischemia. The use of natural products has been utilized to ease the symptoms of COVID-19, and in some cases, to strengthen the immune system against COVID-19. Natural products are readily available and have been regularly consumed for various health benefits. COVID-19 has been reported to be associated with the risk of thromboembolism and deep vein thrombosis. These thrombotic complications often affects mortality and morbidity. Panax ginseng, which has been widely consumed for its various health benefits has also been reported for its therapeutic effects against cardiovascular disease, thrombosis and platelet aggregation. In this review, we propose that P. ginseng can be consumed as a supplementation against the various associated complications of COVID-19, especially against thrombosis. We utilized the network pharmacology approach to validate the potential therapeutic properties of P. ginseng against COVID-19 mediated thrombosis, the coagulation pathway and platelet aggregation. Additionally, we aimed to investigate the roles of P. ginseng against COVID-19 with the involvement of platelet-leukocyte aggregates in relation to immunity-related responses in COVID-19.

Very late stent thrombosis associated with COVID-19 infection: a case report and review of the literature

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by SARS-CoV-2 has varied manifestation with multisystem involvement. Acute coronary syndrome in COVID-19 as a result of stent thrombosis is an uncommon entity and is often due to hypercoagulable state. A 40-year-old male was referred to us with acute onset chest pain. He also reported fever, sore throat and dry cough for six days which mandated testing for COVID-19 which turned out to be positive. He had a prior history of coronary artery disease with a drug eluting stent implanted two years back. An electrocardiogram was suggestive of acute anterior wall myocardial infarction while echocardiogram revealed hypokinesia of left anterior descending (LAD) artery territory. Coronary angiogram revealed non-occlusive thrombus in proximal LAD stent. A Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) III flow was restored following balloon angioplasty with a non-compliant balloon and use of glycoprotein (GP) IIb-IIIa receptor antagonist. A diagnosis of very late stent thrombosis subsequent to COVID-19 was made.

Global burden of acute myocardial injury associated with COVID-19: A systematic review, meta-analysis, and meta-regression

Background

The body of evidence showed that there is a strong correlation between acute myocardial Injury and COVID-19 infection. However, the link between acute myocardial infection and COVID-19, the prevalence, reliability of diagnostic modalities, independent predictors, and clinical outcomes are still uncertain and a topic of debate. The current study was designed to determine the prevalence, determinants, and outcomes of acute myocardial injury based on a systematic review and meta-analysis the global published peer-reviewed works of literature.

Methods

A comprehensive search was conducted in PubMed/Medline; Science direct, CINHAL, and LILACS from December 2019 to May 2021. All observational studies reporting the prevalence of AMI were included while case reports and reviews were excluded. The data were extracted with two independent authors in a customized format. The methodological quality of included studies was evaluated using the Newcastle-Ottawa appraisal tool.

Results

A total of 397 articles were identified from different databases. Thirty-seven Articles with 21, 204 participants were included while seven studies were excluded. The meta-analysis revealed that the pooled prevalence of myocardial injury during the COVID-19 pandemic was 22.33 % (95 % CI: 17.86 to 26.81, 37).

Conclusion

Our meta-analysis showed that mortality among patients with an acute myocardial injury during COVID-19 was more than four times more likely as compared to those without AMI. This necessitates a mitigating strategy to prevent and manage before its clinical outcomes getting worse.

∙

The meta-analysis revealed that more than one-fifth of patients with COVID-19 sustained AMI

∙The incidence of mortality among patients with AMI during COVID-19 pandemic was four times more likely as compared those without AMI

∙Prevalence of AMI was three times more likely in patients with history of Coronary artery disease

∙Smoking and hypertension were the independent predictors of acute myocardial Injury

Impact of SARS-CoV-2 positivity on clinical outcome among STEMI patients undergoing mechanical reperfusion: Insights from the ISACS STEMI COVID 19 registry

Background and aims

SARS-Cov-2 predisposes patients to thrombotic complications, due to excessive inflammation, endothelial dysfunction, platelet activation, and coagulation/fibrinolysis disturbances. The aim of the present study was to evaluate clinical characteristics and prognostic impact of SARS-CoV-2 positivity among STEMI patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI).

Methods

We selected SARS-CoV-2 positive patients included in the ISACS-STEMI COVID-19, a retrospective multicenter European registry including 6609 STEMI patients treated with PPCI from March 1st until April 30th, in 2019 and 2020. As a reference group, we randomly sampled 5 SARS-Cov-2 negative patients per each SARS-CoV-2 positive patient, individually matched for age, sex, and hospital/geographic area. Study endpoints were in-hospital mortality, definite stent thrombosis, heart failure.

Results

Our population is represented by 62 positive SARS-CoV-2 positive patients who were compared with a matched population of 310 STEMI patients. No significant difference was observed in baseline characteristics or the modality of access to the PCI center. In the SARS-CoV-2 positive patients, the culprit lesion was more often located in the RCA (p < 0.001). Despite similar pre and postprocedural TIMI flow, we observed a trend in higher use of GP IIb-IIIa inhibitors and a significantly higher use of thrombectomy in the SARS-CoV-2 positive patients. SARS-CoV-2 positivity was associated with a remarkably higher in hospital mortality (29% vs 5.5%, p < 0.001), definite in-stent thrombosis (8.1% vs 1.6%, p = 0.004) and heart failure (22.6% vs 10.6%, p = 0.001) that was confirmed after adjustment for confounding factors.

Conclusions

Our study showed that among STEMI patients, SARS-CoV-2 positivity is associated with larger thrombus burden, a remarkably higher mortality but also higher rates of in-stent thrombosis and heart failure.

SARS-CoV-2 and Pre-existing Vascular Diseases: Guilt by Association?

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus-2 has rapidly spread and emerged as a pandemic. Although evidence on its pathophysiology is growing, there are still issues that should be taken into consideration, including its effects on pre-existing peripheral vascular disease. The aim of this review is to describe the thrombotic and endothelial dysfunctions caused by SARS-CoV-2, assess if cardiovascular comorbidities render an individual susceptible to the infection and determine the course of pre-existing vascular diseases in infected individuals. A search through MEDLINE, PubMed and EMBASE was conducted and more than 260 articles were identified and 97 of them were reviewed; the rest were excluded because they were not related to the aim of this study. Hypertension, cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus and cerebrovascular diseases comprised 24.30% ± 16.23%, 13.29% ± 12.88%, 14.82% ± 7.57% and 10.82% ± 11.64% of the cohorts reviewed, respectively. Arterial and venous thrombotic complications rocketed up to 31% in severely infected individuals in some studies. We suggest that hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and cerebrovascular diseases may render an individual susceptible to severe COVID-19 infection. Pre-existing vascular diseases are expected to deteriorate with SARS-CoV-2 infection as a consequence of its increased thrombotic burden and the development of endothelial dysfunction. COVID-19 has emerged only a few months ago and it is premature to predict the long-term effects to the vascular system. Its disturbances of the coagulation mechanisms and effects on vascular endothelium will likely provoke a surge of vascular complications in the coming months.

Comparison of the cardiovascular presentations, complications and outcomes following different coronaviruses' infection: A systematic review

Manifestations caused by coronavirus family have presented it in many ways during the previous years. The aim of this systematic review was to gather all possible cardiovascular manifestations of the coronavirus family in the literature. Adhering to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, we searched PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Cochrane and ProQuest which were updated on May 1, 2020 for the last time. Regarding to the novelty and speed of publications on COVID-19, we searched Google Scholar and also references of included studies and review articles in the systematic search results were searched manually. The searched keywords were the combination of the following MeSH terms: "COVID-19", "SARS", "MERS" and "cardiovascular presentation". The systematic review was registered with ID CRD42020180736 in International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO). After screening, 28 original articles and ten case studies (five case reports and five case series) were included. Most of the studies were focused on COVID-19 (20 original articles and four case studies) while the only studies about Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) were a case report and a case series. Almost all the cardiovascular presentations and complications including acute cardiac injury, arrhythmias and the thrombotic complications were more prevalent in COVID-19 than severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and MERS. The cardiac injury was the most common cardiovascular presentation and complication in COVID-19 whereas thrombotic complications were commonly reported in SARS. The cardiac injury was the predictor of disease severity and mortality in both COVID-19 and SARS.Coronavirus 2019 may present with cardiovascular manifestations and complications in signs and symptoms, laboratory data and other paraclinical findings. Also, cardiovascular complications in the course of COVID-19 may result in worse outcomes.

Effects of simulated COVID-19 cytokine storm on stent thrombogenicity

Background

Cytokine storm-related hypercoagulation may be important in the pathogenesis of stent thrombosis in patients with SARS-CoV-2. Whether stent polymers behave differently under such conditions has never been explored.

Methods

Fluorinated polymer-nanocoated and uncoated COBRA stents (CeloNova), BioLinx-polymer-coated Resolute Onyx stents (Medtronic), and Synergy stents (Boston Scientific), which are abluminally coated with a bioabsorbable polymer, were exposed to human blood from healthy donors which was supplemented with 400 pg/mL IL-6 and 100 pg/mL TNF-α, similar to what is seen in cytokine storm caused by SARS-CoV-2. Platelet adhesion and neutrophil activation, assessed by immunofluorescence, were compared under cytokine storm and control conditions (untreated blood) (n = 4 experimental runs).

Results

Platelet adhesion values, defined as %platelet-covered area x staining intensity, were significantly lower in coated and uncoated COBRA and in Resolute Onyx than in Synergy under control conditions (1.28 × 10⁷ ± 0.43 × 10⁷ vs. 2.92 × 10⁷ ± 0.49 × 10⁷ vs. 3.57 × 10⁷ ± 0.73 × 10⁷ vs. 9.94 × 10⁷ ± 0.99 × 10⁷; p ≤0.0001). In cytokine storm, platelet adhesion values remained low in coated COBRA-PzF (1.78 × 10⁷ ± 0.38 × 10⁷) compared to all other devices (uncoated COBRA: 5.92 × 10⁷ ± 0.96 × 10⁷; Resolute Onyx: 7.27 × 10⁷ ± 1.82 × 10⁷; Synergy: 11.28 × 10⁷ ± 1.08 × 10⁷; p ≤ 0.0001). Although cytokine storm conditions significantly increased neutrophil activation in all stents, it was significantly less in coated and uncoated COBRA, and in Resolute Onyx than in Synergy.

Conclusions

Blood-biomaterials interactions may determine the thrombogenic potential of stents. Under simulated cytokine storm conditions, fluoropolymer-coated stents showed the most favorable anti-thrombogenic and anti-inflammatory properties.

Infection, atherothrombosis and thromboembolism beyond the COVID-19 disease: what similar in physiopathology and researches

The recent Sars-Cov-2 pandemic (COVID-19) has led to growing research on the relationship between thromboembolism and Sars-Cov-2 infection. Nowadays, endothelial dysfunction, platelet activation, coagulation, and inflammatory host immune response are the subject of extensive researches in patients with COVID-19 disease. However, studies on the link between microorganisms or infections and thrombotic or thromboembolic events met fluctuating interest in the past. We, therefore, aimed to briefly summarize previous evidence on this topic, highlighting common points between previous data and what experienced today with SARS-COV2 infections.

Clinical Experience, Pathophysiology, and Considerations in the Prophylaxis and Treatment of Hypercoagulopathy of COVID-19: A Review Study

Since the emergence of the severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic, an increasing number of reports and studies have tried to warn the medical community about the thrombotic complications of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). It is suggested that the hyperinflammatory response and endothelial injury, especially in patients with severe disease, lead to a hypercoagulable state. Sudden deaths occurring in some patients also point to fulminant arrhythmias and massive pulmonary embolism (PE). Several expert panels have published recommendations regarding the prophylaxis and treatment of such complications. Nonetheless, there are limited high-quality studies for evidence-based decision-making, and most of these recommendations have arisen from descriptive studies, and optimal anticoagulant agents and dosages are yet to be designated. The coagulopathy persists after the acute phase of the illness, and some panels recommend the continuation of deep vein thrombosis prophylaxis for several days after regaining the normal daily activities by the patient. Here, we review the incidence and possible mechanisms of thrombotic complications, and present a summary of the considerations for the prophylaxis and treatment of such complications in the adult population.

Therapeutic Implications of COVID-19 for the Interventional Cardiologist

Although COVID-19 is viewed primarily as a respiratory disease, cardiovascular risk factors and disease are prevalent among infected patients and are associated with worse outcomes. In addition, among multiple extra-pulmonary manifestations, there has been an increasing recognition of specific cardiovascular complications of COVID-19. Despite this, in the initial stages of the pandemic there was evidence of a reduction in patients presenting to acute cardiovascular services. In this masterclass review, with the aid of 2 exemplar cases, we will focus on the important therapeutic implications of COVID-19 for interventional cardiologists. We summarize the existing evidence base regarding the varied cardiovascular presentations seen in COVID-19 positive patients and the prognostic importance and potential mechanisms of acute myocardial injury in this setting. Importantly, through the use of a systematic review of the literature, we focus our discussion on the observed higher rates of coronary thrombus burden in patients with COVID-19 and acute coronary syndromes.

Thromboembolische Erkrankung bei COVID-19-Patienten: Eine kurze narrative Übersichtsarbeit

Die Infektion mit dem Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV2, severe acute respiratory syndrome corona virus 2) hat sich zu einer globalen Gesundheitskrise entwickelt. Berichten zufolge ist die Inzidenz von thromboembolischen Erkrankungen bei der SARS-CoV2-Krankheit hoch und betrifft ein breites Spektrum an Organsystemen, von Hautthrombosen bis zu Lungenembolien, Schlaganfall oder Koronarthrombose, bisweilen mit katastrophalen Folgen. Es liegen Hinweise vor, nach denen Thromboembolien, Hyperkoagulabilität und eine Überproduktion proinflammatorischer Zytokine, die einen Zytokinsturm nachahmen, der zu Multiorganversagen führt, eine Schlüsselrolle dabei spielen. Die vorliegende kurze narrative Übersichtsarbeit beleuchtet die Pathophysiologie und die Risikofaktoren der thromboembolischen Erkrankung und liefert einen Rahmen für das Antikoagulationsmanagement auf Grundlage der aktuellen Evidenzlage.

Adult cardiovascular surgery and the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic: the Italian experience

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has profoundly affected all health care professionals. The outbreak required a thorough reorganization of the Italian regional local health care system to preserve resources such as ventilators, beds in intensive care units and surgical and anaesthesiological staff. Levels of priority were created, together with a rigorous triage procedure for patients with COVID-19, which led to postponement of all elective procedures. Urgent cases were discussed with the local heart team and percutaneous approaches were selected as the first treatment option to reduce hospital stay. COVID-19 and COVID-19-free pathways were created, including adequate preparation of the operating room, management of anaesthesiological procedures, transportation of patients and disinfection. It was determined that patients with chronic diseases were at increased risk of adverse outcomes. Systemic inflammation, cytokine storm and hypercoagulability associated with COVID-19 increased the risk of heart failure and cardiac death. In this regard, the early use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation could be life-saving in patients with severe forms of acute respiratory distress syndrome or refractory heart failure. The goal of this paper was to report the Italian experience during the COVID-19 pandemic in the setting of cardiovascular surgery.

Management of Thrombotic Complications in COVID-19: An Update

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV‑2), is now a global pandemic. This virus primarily affects the respiratory tract and causes lung injury characterized by acute respiratory distress syndrome. Although the pathophysiology of COVID-19 is not yet clear, the most widely accepted mechanism is systemic inflammation. A clinically significant effect of the inflammation is coagulopathy. As a result of this effect, patients are found to have a high risk of venous thromboembolism. Studies have reported a high incidence of thrombotic complications in critically ill patients with COVID-19. In this review, we discuss the most updated evidence on the pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment of the coagulopathy of COVID-19. Prophylactic anticoagulation is recommended for all in-patients with COVID-19. Those with a higher risk of developing thromboembolic events or who have already developed venous thromboembolism should be treated with therapeutic anticoagulation. We also discuss post-discharge prophylaxis for high-risk patients and some newly proposed treatments for the hypercoagulability that could improve the outcomes of the affected patients.

Thrombosis Management and Challenges in COVID-19 Patients Presenting with Acute Coronary Syndromes

Thrombotic complications in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection have been increasingly recognized, particularly those affecting the cardiovascular system. Patients with COVID-19 infection can suffer from increased coagulopathy as well as myocardial injury. In this review, we discuss these complications with special focus on management challenges in patients with acute coronary disease based on the available evidence from published literature.

COVID-19-associated coagulopathy: An exploration of mechanisms

An ongoing global pandemic of viral pneumonia (coronavirus disease [COVID-19]), due to the virus SARS-CoV-2, has infected millions of people and remains a threat to many more. Most critically ill patients have respiratory failure and there is an international effort to understand mechanisms and predictors of disease severity. Coagulopathy, characterized by elevations in D-dimer and fibrin(ogen) degradation products (FDPs), is associated with critical illness and mortality in patients with COVID-19. Furthermore, increasing reports of microvascular and macrovascular thrombi suggest that hemostatic imbalances may contribute to the pathophysiology of SARS-CoV-2 infection. We review the laboratory and clinical findings of patients with COVID-19-associated coagulopathy, and prior studies of hemostasis in other viral infections and acute respiratory distress syndrome. We hypothesize that an imbalance between coagulation and inflammation may result in a hypercoagulable state. Although thrombosis initiated by the innate immune system is hypothesized to limit SARS-CoV-2 dissemination, aberrant activation of this system can cause endothelial injury resulting in loss of thromboprotective mechanisms, excess thrombin generation, and dysregulation of fibrinolysis and thrombosis. The role various components including neutrophils, neutrophil extracellular traps, activated platelets, microparticles, clotting factors, inflammatory cytokines, and complement play in this process remains an area of active investigation and ongoing clinical trials target these different pathways in COVID-19.

Thromboembolic disease in COVID-19 patients: A brief narrative review

Corona virus 2 (SARS-CoV2/ Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Corona Virus 2) infection has emerged as a global health crisis. Incidence of thromboembolic disease is reported to be high in SARS-CoV2 disease and is seen in a multitude of organ systems ranging from cutaneous thrombosis to pulmonary embolism, stroke or coronary thrombosis sometimes with catastrophic outcomes. Evidence points towards a key role of thromboembolism, hypercoagulability and over production of proinflammatory cytokines mimicking a "cytokine storm" which leads to multiorgan failure. This brief narrative review highlights the pathophysiology and risk factors of thromboembolic disease and provides a framework for management of anticoagulation based on the current evidence.

Coagulation disorders in SARS-CoV-2 infection

A better understanding of the pathogenetic mechanisms triggered by SARS-CoV-2 infection may contribute to a more effective management of patients with COVID-19. Coagulation dysfunction is a key pathogenetic element of this disease as well as a challenge for practitioners. Marked inflammatory process found in severe forms of COVID-19, the complement activation, the cytokine storm, and disruption of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system are involved in the onset of thrombotic microangiopathy and large vessel coagulopathy. Virus-induced procoagulant activity occurs at the systemic level. Intravascular microthrombi disrupt vascularization in various tissues and organs, contributing to the occurrence of multiorgan failure and explain the higher morbidity and all-cause mortality of patients. It is estimated that almost 20% of patients with COVID-19 have significant coagulation disorders, and about a quarter of those hospitalized in intensive care units are prone to develop thrombosis events under prophylactic anticoagulant treatment. Some of patients who have been immunized after healing from the SARS-CoV-2 infection have a hypercoagulable state and are prone to develop thrombosis. Hypercoagulability is supported by thrombelastographic analysis: patients have an acceleration of the propagation phase of blood clot formation and higher clot strength. Markers of coagulation dysfunction in SARS-CoV2 are: decreased platelet count, increased INR, presence of fibrin degradation products, and especially higher plasma levels of D-dimers, which predict unfavorable outcome in these patients. Age, pre-existing diseases and associated risk factors, together with careful monitoring of clinical evolution and laboratory parameters allow the choice of the best personalized prophylactic or curative anticoagulant treatment.

Subacute stent thrombosis in a patient with COVID-19 pneumonia

Acute and subacute stent thromboses are rare but life-threatening complications of primary coronary intervention and stenting. We present a case of a patient with COVID-19 infection who presented with pneumonia, acute respiratory failure, and non-ST elevation myocardial infarction. Reperfusion was achieved with coronary angioplasty and drug-eluting stent placement, and the patient was started on aspirin and clopidogrel. However, 72 hours later, the patient experienced an episode of subacute stent thrombosis. This raises concerns about a possible association between stent thrombosis and increased thrombogenicity and platelet aggregability triggered by COVID-19 infection.

Extracellular Vesicle-Related Thrombosis in Viral Infection

Although the outcomes of viral infectious diseases are remarkably varied, most infections cause acute diseases after a short period. Novel coronavirus disease 2019, which recently spread worldwide, is no exception. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are small circulating membrane-enclosed entities shed from the cell surface in response to cell activation or apoptosis. EVs transport various kinds of bioactive molecules between cells, including functional RNAs, such as viral RNAs and proteins. Therefore, when EVs are at high levels, changes in cell activation, inflammation, angioplasty and transportation suggest that EVs are associated with various diseases. Clinical research on EVs includes studies on the coagulatory system. In particular, abnormal enhancement of the coagulatory system through EVs can cause thrombosis. In this review, we address the functions of EVs, thrombosis, and their involvement in viral infection.

Cardiovascular patients in COVID-19 era, a case series, an experience from a tertiary cardiovascular center in Tehran, Iran

Different cardiovascular presentations of coronavirus disease 2019 can be seen because of the systemic involvement. Considering its new presentations, there is need for further studies regarding the mechanistic pathways involved.