Elevated D-Dimer Levels Are Associated With Increased Risk of Mortality in Coronavirus Disease 2019: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Complete blood count, coagulation biomarkers, and lung function 6 months after critical COVID-19

BACKGROUND

Understanding the recovery of post-COVID-19 organ dysfunction is essential. We evaluated coagulation 6 months post-COVID-19, examining its recovery and association with lung function.

METHODS

Patients treated for COVID-19 at intensive care units between 3/2020 and 1/2021 were analyzed for complete blood count (CBC) and coagulation biomarkers (prothrombin time activity (%) (PT%), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), fibrinogen, coagulation factor VIII (FVIII), antithrombin (AT), and D-dimer) during the 6 months post-hospitalization. Results were compared with acute phase values and correlated with pulmonary function tests (PFT), including forced vital capacity (FVC) and hemoglobin-corrected diffusing capacity percentage of predicted (DLCOc%), recorded 6 months post-hospitalization. We examined the association between coagulation biomarkers and DLCOc% using linear regression with age, sex, and invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) duration, and FVIII (correlated with DLCOc%) as covariates.

RESULTS

Most CBCs and coagulation biomarkers had median values within the normal range. However, only 21% (15/70) of patients achieved full normalization of all biomarkers. Compared to acute COVID-19, hemoglobin, PT%, and AT increased, while leukocytes, fibrinogen, FVIII, and D-dimer decreased. Despite decreased levels, FVIII remained elevated in 46% (31/68), leukocytes in 26% (18/70), and D-dimer in 27% (18/67) at 6 months. A weak negative correlation (r = -0.37, p = .036) was found between DLCOc% and FVIII. Multivariable analysis revealed a weak, independent association between DLCOc% and FVIII. Excluding patients with anticoagulation therapy, FVIII no longer correlated with DLCOc%, while AT showed a moderate correlation with DLCOc%.

CONCLUSION

Only a few patients had normal CBC and coagulation biomarker values 6 months after critical COVID-19. A weak negative correlation between DLCOc% and FVIII suggests that deranged coagulation activity may be associated with reduced diffusing capacity.

COVID-19 Coagulopathy

Coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) is the respiratory viral infection caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Despite being a primary respiratory illness, it is commonly complicated by systemic involvement of the vasculature leading to arterial and venous thrombosis. In this review, we will focus on the association between COVID-19 and thrombosis. We will highlight the pathophysiology of COVID-19 coagulopathy. The clinical manifestations of COVID-19 vasculopathy will be discussed with a focus on venous and arterial thromboembolic events. COVID-19 vasculopathy and disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) are distinguished within, as well as areas of controversy, such as "long COVID". Finally, the current professional guidelines on prevention and treatment of thrombosis associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection will be discussed.

Evaluation of the relationship of treatment and vaccination with prognosis in patients with a diagnosis of COVID-19

PURPOSE

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has affected millions of people worldwide and caused mortality. Many factors have been reported to affect the prognosis of COVID-19. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of drug therapy and vaccination on prognosis in patients hospitalized with a COVID-19 diagnosis.

METHODS

In this single-center, cross-sectional study, data were retrospectively collected from patients receiving inpatient treatment at a university hospital with a diagnosis of COVID-19 between January 1, 2020, and April 30, 2022. The patients' demographic and clinical characteristics were recorded. The Chi-square, Cox and logistic regression was performed, P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

RESULTS

Total 1723 patients (50.1% were men, mean age: 60.6 ± 16.90) who had not been vaccinated rate was 27.0% (> 3 doses: 45.7%). Mortality rate was 17.0%. Increasing age, male, a high Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI), and no vaccination significantly increased mortality (P < 0.05). The mortality rate was significantly lower in the chloroquine treatment group than in the other treatment groups. Increasing age, male, and a high CCI were determined to be factors that significantly increased the length of hospital stay (LOHS). LOHS found to be significantly lower in the favipiravir or chloroquine groups compared to the remaining treatment groups (P < 0.001). Both mortality and the LOHS significantly differed according to AST, d-dimer, ferritin, and GFR.

CONCLUSION

This study primarily investigated the effect of treatment and vaccination on the prognosis of COVID-19. This was determined to be prepared for another potential pandemic that may arise due to COVID-19.

Correlation of Serum Calcium with Severity and Outcomes in Patients of COVID-19 Pneumonia

Background

Calcium is an essential electrolyte with critical physiological functions. Recently, it has been implicated in the pathogenesis and outcomes of COVID-19. This retrospective study was conducted to estimate serum ionic calcium and its correlation with clinical severity, inflammatory markers, and in-hospital outcomes in moderate to severe COVID-19 patients.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed data from 377 COVID-19 patients, aged between 23 and 79 years, with a mean age of 54.17±11.53 years. Severity of the disease was determined using ICMR criteria. Parameters including age, gender, inflammatory markers, calcium levels, and clinical outcomes were assessed.

Results

The study showed a prevalence of moderate and severe COVID-19 in 58.1% and 41.9% patients, respectively. Severity was significantly associated with younger age, higher mean inflammatory markers, notably IL-6, procalcitonin, D-Dimer, and lower ionic and total calcium levels, as well as vitamin D levels. Mortality and referral rate were significantly higher in the severe group. Hypocalcemia was prevalent in 39% of the patients and was significantly associated with disease severity, ARDS, and mortality. On multivariate assessment, only age and ionic calcium were significantly associated with COVID-19 severity.

Conclusion

Lower serum ionic calcium levels are associated with increased severity and poor outcomes, including higher mortality in COVID-19 patients, underscoring the potential role of calcium as a diagnostic and prognostic marker in COVID-19 pneumonia and may be an important factor in various other forms of pneumonia.

Impact of Sample Type on D-Dimer Screening

Background

The quality of laboratory test results depends on various factors, including sample type selection. Blood samples, such as whole blood, plasma and serum are commonly used for most clinical laboratory examinations. D-dimer parameters are frequently analysed in haematology laboratories and serve as biomarkers for coagulation activation and fibrinolysis. This study aimed to assess the impact of using different sample types on the quality of D-dimer test results.

Method

An observational analytical method was used. D-dimer examination was performed using the fluorescent lateral flow immunoassay method. The study sample consisted of 26 participants aged between 18 years old and 22 years old who had no blood disorders. Whole blood and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) plasma samples were used for the examination of D-dimer levels.

Results

D-dimer levels in 26 participants using whole blood samples had a mean value of 0.23 mg/L (230 ng/mL), while plasma samples yielded a mean value of 0.14 mg/L (140 ng/mL). D-dimer levels obtained from whole blood samples were higher than plasma samples but remained within the normal range of 0 mg/L-0.5 mg/L (0 ng/mL-500 ng/mL).

Conclusion

The results showed that whole blood samples were more practical than plasma samples. Nevertheless, plasma samples gave results within the normal range of D-dimer values.

SARS-CoV-2 mouse adaptation selects virulence mutations that cause TNF-driven age-dependent severe disease with human correlates

The diversity of COVID-19 disease in otherwise healthy people, from seemingly asymptomatic infection to severe life-threatening disease, is not clearly understood. We passaged a naturally occurring near-ancestral SARS-CoV-2 variant, capable of infecting wild-type mice, and identified viral genomic mutations coinciding with the acquisition of severe disease in young adult mice and lethality in aged animals. Transcriptomic analysis of lung tissues from mice with severe disease elucidated a host antiviral response dominated mainly by interferon and IL-6 pathway activation in young mice, while in aged animals, a fatal outcome was dominated by TNF and TGF-β signaling. Congruent with our pathway analysis, we showed that young TNF-deficient mice had mild disease compared to controls and aged TNF-deficient animals were more likely to survive infection. Emerging clinical correlates of disease are consistent with our preclinical studies, and our model may provide value in defining aberrant host responses that are causative of severe COVID-19.

Does follow-up D-dimer level help in predicting oxygenation status, ventilatory support requirement, lung fibrosis, and thromboembolic events in coronavirus disease 2019 pneumonia? A prospective observational study in a tertiary care setting in India

Introduction

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pneumonia is a heterogeneous disease with variable effects on lung parenchyma, airways, and vasculature, leading to long-term effects on lung functions.

Materials and Methods

This multicentric, prospective, observational, and interventional study included 1000 COVID-19 cases confirmed with reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. All cases were assessed with high-resolution computed tomography thorax, oxygen saturation, inflammatory marker as D-dimer at the entry point, and follow-up. Age, gender, comorbidity, use of bilevel positive airway pressure/noninvasive ventilation (BiPAP/NIV), and outcome as with or without lung fibrosis as per CT severity were key observations. In selected cases, we have performed lower limb venous Doppler and computed tomography (CT) pulmonary angiography to rule out deep-vein thrombosis (DVT) or pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE) respectively. Statistical analysis is performed by using Chi-square test.

Observations and Analysis

Age (<50 and >50 years) and gender (male vs. female) has a significant association with D-dimer level (P < 0.00001 and P < 0.010, respectively). CT severity score at the entry point with the D-dimer level has a significant correlation (P < 0.00001). The D-dimer level has a significant association with the duration of illness before hospitalization (P < 0.00001). Comorbidities have a significant association with D-dimer levels (P < 0.00001). D-dimer level has a significant association with oxygen saturation (P < 0.00001). BIPAP/NIV requirement has a significant association with the D-dimer level (P < 0.00001). Timing of BIPAP/NIV requirement during hospitalization has a significant association with D-dimer level (P < 0.00001). Follow-up D-dimer titer during hospitalization as compared to normal and abnormal to entry point level has a significant association with post-COVID lung fibrosis, DVT, and PTE (P < 0.00001).

Conclusions

D-dimer has documented a very crucial role in COVID-19 pneumonia in predicting the severity of illness and assessing response to treatment during hospitalization, and follow-up titers have a significant role in step-up or step-down interventions in a critical care setting.

Multi-omic longitudinal study reveals immune correlates of clinical course among hospitalized COVID-19 patients

The IMPACC cohort, composed of >1,000 hospitalized COVID-19 participants, contains five illness trajectory groups (TGs) during acute infection (first 28 days), ranging from milder (TG1-3) to more severe disease course (TG4) and death (TG5). Here, we report deep immunophenotyping, profiling of >15,000 longitudinal blood and nasal samples from 540 participants of the IMPACC cohort, using 14 distinct assays. These unbiased analyses identify cellular and molecular signatures present within 72 h of hospital admission that distinguish moderate from severe and fatal COVID-19 disease. Importantly, cellular and molecular states also distinguish participants with more severe disease that recover or stabilize within 28 days from those that progress to fatal outcomes (TG4 vs. TG5). Furthermore, our longitudinal design reveals that these biologic states display distinct temporal patterns associated with clinical outcomes. Characterizing host immune responses in relation to heterogeneity in disease course may inform clinical prognosis and opportunities for intervention.

Systems genetics identifies miRNA-mediated regulation of host response in COVID-19

BACKGROUND

Individuals infected with SARS-CoV-2 vary greatly in their disease severity, ranging from asymptomatic infection to severe disease. The regulation of gene expression is an important mechanism in the host immune response and can modulate the outcome of the disease. miRNAs play important roles in post-transcriptional regulation with consequences on downstream molecular and cellular host immune response processes. The nature and magnitude of miRNA perturbations associated with blood phenotypes and intensive care unit (ICU) admission in COVID-19 are poorly understood.

RESULTS

We combined multi-omics profiling-genotyping, miRNA and RNA expression, measured at the time of hospital admission soon after the onset of COVID-19 symptoms-with phenotypes from electronic health records to understand how miRNA expression contributes to variation in disease severity in a diverse cohort of 259 unvaccinated patients in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. We analyzed 62 clinical variables and expression levels of 632 miRNAs measured at admission and identified 97 miRNAs associated with 8 blood phenotypes significantly associated with later ICU admission. Integrative miRNA-mRNA cross-correlation analysis identified multiple miRNA-mRNA-blood endophenotype associations and revealed the effect of miR-143-3p on neutrophil count mediated by the expression of its target gene BCL2. We report 168 significant cis-miRNA expression quantitative trait loci, 57 of which implicate miRNAs associated with either ICU admission or a blood endophenotype.

CONCLUSIONS

This systems genetics study has given rise to a genomic picture of the architecture of whole blood miRNAs in unvaccinated COVID-19 patients and pinpoints post-transcriptional regulation as a potential mechanism that impacts blood traits underlying COVID-19 severity. The results also highlight the impact of host genetic regulatory control of miRNA expression in early stages of COVID-19 disease.

Clinical Characteristics and Serum Cytokines Profiling in Hospitalized COVID-19 Patients in Lebanon

Since its emergence, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) remains a public health threat worldwide. While the majority of patients recover in 3-4 weeks, complications in severely ill patients, including acute respiratory distress syndrome, cardiac injury, thrombosis, and sepsis, can lead to death. Several biomarkers, in addition to cytokine release syndrome (CRS), have been associated with severe and fatal outcomes in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients. The aim of this study is to assess clinical characteristics and cytokines profiles in hospitalized COVID-19 patients in Lebanon. A total of 51 hospitalized COVID-19 patients were recruited between February 2021 and May 2022. Clinical data and sera were collected at two time points: at hospital presentation (T0) and last collected results during hospitalization (T1). Our results showed that 49% of participants were >60 years with males accounting for the majority (72.5%). Hypertension, followed by diabetes and dyslipidemia, were the most frequent comorbid conditions among study participants accounting for 56.9% and 31.4%, respectively. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) was the only significantly different comorbid condition between intensive care unit (ICU) and non-ICU patients. Our results also showed that the median level of D-dimer was significantly elevated among patients in ICU and those who died compared to non-ICU patients and those who survived. Moreover, C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were significantly higher at T0 compared to T1 in ICU and non-ICU patients. The median level of IL-12p70 was significantly higher in patients >60 years compared to those ≤60 years (p = 0.0209). Our data are in agreement with previous reports suggesting the importance of IL-6, CRP, and IL-12p70 in the assessment of risk of severe disease and mortality.

Cell-Specific Mechanisms in the Heart of COVID-19 Patients

From the onset of the pandemic, evidence of cardiac involvement in acute COVID-19 abounded. Cardiac presentations ranged from arrhythmias to ischemia, myopericarditis/myocarditis, ventricular dysfunction to acute heart failure, and even cardiogenic shock. Elevated serum cardiac troponin levels were prevalent among hospitalized patients with COVID-19; the higher the magnitude of troponin elevation, the greater the COVID-19 illness severity and in-hospital death risk. Whether these consequences were due to direct SARS-CoV-2 infection of cardiac cells or secondary to inflammatory responses steered early cardiac autopsy studies. SARS-CoV-2 was reportedly detected in endothelial cells, cardiac myocytes, and within the extracellular space. However, findings were inconsistent and different methodologies had their limitations. Initial autopsy reports suggested that SARS-CoV-2 myocarditis was common, setting off studies to find and phenotype inflammatory infiltrates in the heart. Nonetheless, subsequent studies rarely detected myocarditis. Microthrombi, cardiomyocyte necrosis, and inflammatory infiltrates without cardiomyocyte damage were much more common. In vitro and ex vivo experimental platforms have assessed the cellular tropism of SARS-CoV-2 and elucidated mechanisms of viral entry into and replication within cardiac cells. Data point to pericytes as the primary target of SARS-CoV-2 in the heart. Infection of pericytes can account for the observed pericyte and endothelial cell death, innate immune response, and immunothrombosis commonly observed in COVID-19 hearts. These processes are bidirectional and synergistic, rendering a definitive order of events elusive. Single-cell/nucleus analyses of COVID-19 myocardial tissue and isolated cardiac cells have provided granular data about the cellular composition and cell type-specific transcriptomic signatures of COVID-19 and microthrombi-positive COVID-19 hearts. Still, much remains unknown and more in vivo studies are needed. This review seeks to provide an overview of the current understanding of COVID-19 cardiac pathophysiology. Cell type-specific mechanisms and the studies that provided such insights will be highlighted. Given the unprecedented pace of COVID-19 research, more mechanistic details are sure to emerge since the writing of this review. Importantly, our current knowledge offers significant clues about the cardiac pathophysiology of long COVID-19, the increased postrecovery risk of cardiac events, and thus, the future landscape of cardiovascular disease.

Vitamin D, Albumin, and D-Dimer as Significant Prognostic Markers in Early Hospitalization in Patients with COVID-19

SARS-CoV-2 continues to pose a major challenge to scientists and clinicians. We examined the significance of the serum concentrations of vitamin D, albumin, and D-dimer for the severity of the clinical picture and mortality in COVID-19.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 288 patients treated for COVID-19 infection participated in the research. The patients were treated in the period from May 2020 to January 2021. All patients were divided based on the need for oxygen therapy (Sat > 94%) into patients with mild or severe clinical pictures. The biochemical and radiographic parameters of the patients were analyzed. Appropriate statistical methods were used in the statistical analysis.

RESULTS

In patients with COVID-19 with confirmed severe clinical pictures, lower values of serum albumin (p < 0.0005) and vitamin D (p = 0.004) were recorded, as opposed to elevated values of D-dimer (p < 0.0005). Accordingly, the patients with fatal disease outcomes had lower levels of albumin (p < 0.0005) and vitamin D (p = 0.002), while their D-dimer (p < 0.0005) levels were elevated. An increase in the radiographic score, as a parameter for assessing the severity of the clinical picture, was accompanied by a decrease in serum albumin (p < 0.0005) and a simultaneous increase in D-dimer (p < 0.0005), without a change in the vitamin D concentration (p = 0.261). We also demonstrated the interrelations of the serum levels of vitamin D, albumin, and D-dimer in patients with COVID-19 as well as their significance as predictors of the outcome of the disease.

CONCLUSION

The significance of the predictive parameters in our study indicates the existence of an important combined role of vitamin D, albumin, and D-dimer in the early diagnosis of the most severe patients suffering from COVID-19. Reduced values of vitamin D and albumin, in combination with elevated values of D-dimer, can be timely indicators of the development of a severe clinical picture and death due to COVID-19.

Mechanical power and 30-day mortality in mechanically ventilated, critically ill patients with and without Coronavirus Disease-2019: a hospital registry study

BACKGROUND

Previous studies linked a high intensity of ventilation, measured as mechanical power, to mortality in patients suffering from "classic" ARDS. By contrast, mechanically ventilated patients with a diagnosis of COVID-19 may present with intact pulmonary mechanics while undergoing mechanical ventilation for longer periods of time. We investigated whether an association between higher mechanical power and mortality is modified by a diagnosis of COVID-19.

METHODS

This retrospective study included critically ill, adult patients who were mechanically ventilated for at least 24 h between March 2020 and December 2021 at a tertiary healthcare facility in Boston, Massachusetts. The primary exposure was median mechanical power during the first 24 h of mechanical ventilation, calculated using a previously validated formula. The primary outcome was 30-day mortality. As co-primary analysis, we investigated whether a diagnosis of COVID-19 modified the primary association. We further investigated the association between mechanical power and days being alive and ventilator free and effect modification of this by a diagnosis of COVID-19. Multivariable logistic regression, effect modification and negative binomial regression analyses adjusted for baseline patient characteristics, severity of disease and in-hospital factors, were applied.

RESULTS

1,737 mechanically ventilated patients were included, 411 (23.7%) suffered from COVID-19. 509 (29.3%) died within 30 days. The median mechanical power during the first 24 h of ventilation was 19.3 [14.6-24.0] J/min in patients with and 13.2 [10.2-18.0] J/min in patients without COVID-19. A higher mechanical power was associated with 30-day mortality (OR_adj 1.26 per 1-SD, 7.1J/min increase; 95% CI 1.09-1.46; p = 0.002). Effect modification and interaction analysis did not support that this association was modified by a diagnosis of COVID-19 (95% CI, 0.81-1.38; p-for-interaction = 0.68). A higher mechanical power was associated with a lower number of days alive and ventilator free until day 28 (IRR_adj 0.83 per 7.1 J/min increase; 95% CI 0.75-0.91; p < 0.001, adjusted risk difference - 2.7 days per 7.1J/min increase; 95% CI - 4.1 to - 1.3).

CONCLUSION

A higher mechanical power is associated with elevated 30-day mortality. While patients with COVID-19 received mechanical ventilation with higher mechanical power, this association was independent of a concomitant diagnosis of COVID-19.

Mortality patterns among COVID-19 patients in two Saudi hospitals: Demographics, etiology, and treatment

Background

Saudi Arabia (SA) reported its first case of COVID-19 on 2 March 2020. Mortality varied nationwide; by April 14, 2020, Medina had 16% of SA's total COVID-19 cases and 40% of all COVID-19 deaths. A team of epidemiologists investigated to identify factors impacting survival.

Methods

We reviewed medical records from two hospitals: Hospital A in Medina and Hospital B in Dammam. All patients with a registered COVID-related death between March and May 1, 2020, were included. We collected data on demographics, chronic health conditions, clinical presentation, and treatment. We analyzed data using SPSS.

Results

We identified 76 cases: 38 cases from each hospital. More fatalities were among non-Saudis at Hospital A (89%) versus Hospital B (82%, p < 0.001). Hypertension prevalence was higher among cases at Hospital B (42%) versus Hospital A (21%) (p < 0.05). We found statistically significant differences (p < 0.05) in symptoms at initial presentation among cases at Hospital B versus Hospital A, including body temperature (38°C vs. 37°C), heart rate (104 bpm vs. 89 bpm), and regular breathing rhythms (61% vs. 55%). Fewer cases (50%) at Hospital A received heparin versus Hospital B (97%, p-value < 0.001).

Conclusion

Patients who died typically presented with more severe illnesses and were more likely to have underlying health conditions. Migrant workers may be at increased risk due to poorer baseline health and reluctance to seek care. This highlights the importance of cross-cultural outreach to prevent deaths. Health education efforts should be multilingual and accommodate all literacy levels.

Study to Determine a Prognostic Cutoff Values of the Coagulation Analyte D-dimer for ICU Admission among COVID-19 Patients

Introduction

The measured D-dimer levels in coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) patients have no specific cutoff to find the progression of coagulopathy and severity.

Aim

This study aimed to determine prognostic cutoff values of D-dimer for intensive care unit (ICU) admission among COVID-19 patients.

Materials and methods

This cross-sectional study was conducted in Sree Balaji Medical College and Hospital, Chennai, during a period of 6 months. This study included 460 COVID-19-positive individuals.

Results

The mean age was 52.2 ± 12.53 years. Patients with mild illness have D-dimer value 461.8 ± 221, whereas moderate and severe COVID illness patients have D-dimer values of 1915.2 ± 699.9 and 7937.6 ± 2045.2, respectively. D-dimer cutoff value of 1036.9 is shown to be a prognostic cutoff value for COVID-19 patients admitted in the ICU with 99% sensitivity and 17% specificity. The area under curve (AUC) was considered excellent (AUC = 0.827, 95% Cl: 0.78-0.86, p-value < 0.0001) indicative of high sensitivity.

Conclusion

The D-dimer value of 1036.9 ng/mL was found to be the optimum cutoff for the patients to predict the severity of the COVID-19-positive patients admitted in the ICU.

How to cite this article

Anton MC, Shanthi B, Vasudevan E. Study to Determine a Prognostic Cutoff Values of the Coagulation Analyte D-dimer for ICU Admission among COVID-19 Patients. Indian J Crit Care Med 2023;27(2):135-138.

Predictive value of inflammatory and coagulation biomarkers for venous thromboembolism in Covid-19 patients

BACKGROUND

The predictive value of coagulation markers for venous thromboembolism (VTE) in Covid-19 patients has been investigated with conflicting results.

OBJECTIVE

Our aim was to investigate the correlation between biomarkers and VTE and the predictive value of D-dimer for VTE in hospitalized Covid-19 patients.

METHODS

Complete blood count, inflammatory and coagulation biomarkers at admission were collected. VTE was defined as diagnosed pulmonary embolism or deep vein thrombosis. Events were defined as in-hospital death or ICU admission. Predictors of VTE were identified with Pearson prediction models. A ROC curve was constructed to assess the predictive value of D-dimer.

RESULTS

1651 participants were included, 111 VTE were identified. Events incidence was higher in the VTE group (49.5% vs 28.2%, p <  0.001). Neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR, 0.001; 95% CI 0.000-0.002; p 0.019) and D-dimer (0.00005; 95% CI 0.00002-0.00008; p <  0.001), Geneva score (0.026; 95% CI 0.012-0.040; p <  0.001) and Wells score (0.047; 95% CI 0.033-0.061; p <  0.001) were associated with VTE. D-dimer had a goor predictive value for VTE (ROC area 0.85, 95% CI 0.816-0.893), with an optimal cut-off value of 2677μg/L (Youden index of 0,602).

CONCLUSIONS

Among coagulation biomarkers D-dimer had the best predictive value for VTE, but higher cut-off values should be used in Covid-19.

Correlation of Patient Profiles and Biomarkers with Outcomes in Covid-19 Icu Patients: A Retrospective Analysis

Background

COVID-19 is a novel disease with a highly variable and unpredictable clinical course. Various clinicodemographic factors and numerous biomarkers have been identified in studies from the West and marked as possible predictors of severe illness and mortality which may be used to triage patients for early aggressive care. This triaging becomes even more significant in resource-limited critical care settings of the Indian subcontinent.

Methods

This retrospective observational study recruited 99 cases of COVID-19 admitted to intensive care from 1 May to 1 August 2020. Demographic, clinical and baseline laboratory data were collected and analysed for association with clinical outcomes, including survival and need for mechanical ventilatory support.

Results

Male gender (p=0.044) and diabetes mellitus (p=0.042) were associated with increased mortality. Binomial logistic regression analysis revealed Interleukin-6 (IL6) (p=0.024), D-dimer (p=0.025) and CRP (p<0.001) as significant predictors of need of ventilatory support and IL6 (p=0.036), CRP (p=0.041), D-dimer (p=0.006) and PaO2FiO2 ratio (p=0.019) as significant predictors of mortality. CRP >40 mg/L predicted mortality with sensitivity of 93.3% and specificity of 88.9% (AUC 0.933) and IL6> 32.5 pg/ml with a sensitivity of 82.2% and specificity of 70.4% (AUC 0.821).

Conclusion

Our results suggest that a baseline CRP >40 mg/L, IL6 >32.5 pg/ml or D-dimer >810 ng/ml are early accurate predictors of severe illness and adverse outcomes and may be used to triage patients for early intensive care.

Disposable Voltammetric Immunosensor for D-Dimer Detection as Early Biomarker of Thromboembolic Disease and of COVID-19 Prognosis

In this work, we report on the development of a simple electrochemical immunosensor for the detection of D-dimer protein in human plasma samples. The immunosensor is built by a simple drop-casting procedure of chitosan nanoparticles (CSNPs) as biocompatible support, Protein A (PrA), to facilitate the proper orientation of the antibody sites to epitopes as a capture biomolecule, and the D-dimer antibody onto a carboxyl functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes screen printed electrode (MWCNTs-SPE). The CSNPs have been morphologically characterized by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) techniques. Successively, the electrochemical properties of the screen-printed working electrode after each modification step have been characterized by differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The resulting MWCNTs-CSNPs-PrA-D-dimer Ab immunosensor displays an optimal and promising platform for antibody immobilization and specific D-dimer detection. DPV has been used to investigate the antigen/antibody interaction at different D-dimer concentrations. The proposed voltammetric immunosensor allowed a linear range from 2 to 500 μg L^-1 with a LOD of 0.6 μg L^-1 and a sensitivity of 1.3 μA L μg^-1 cm^-2. Good stability and a fast response time (5 s) have been reported. Lastly, the performance of the voltammetric immunosensor has been tested in human plasma samples, showing satisfactory results, thus attesting to the promising feasibility of the proposed platform for detecting D-dimer in physiological samples.

Elevated Plasma D-Dimer Concentrations in Adults after an Outpatient-Treated COVID-19 Infection

Elevated D-dimer plasma concentrations are common in hospitalized COVID-19 patients and are often associated with a worse prognosis, but it is not yet clear whether this also applies to outpatient cases. The present cross-sectional study evaluated D-dimer levels and their association with clinical parameters and inflammation biomarkers after a COVID-19 disease in individuals treated as outpatients. The study included 411 individuals (43.3% men) with an average age of 46.8 years (SD 15.2). Study participants who had acute COVID-19 disease at a median of 235 days (120; 323) ago were examined at the University Hospital Augsburg, Southern Germany, between 11/2020 and 05/2021. Plasma D-dimers were measured by a particle-enhanced immunoturbidimetric assay. Sixty-one subjects (15%) showed increased D-dimer concentrations (≥500 µg/L). Study participants with elevated D-dimer levels in comparison to subjects with levels in the reference range were significantly older, and more frequently reported a history of cardiovascular disease, hypertension, venous thromboembolism, and chronic venous insufficiency. In multivariable logistic regression analysis, CRP levels (OR 5.58 per mg/dL, 95% CI 1.77-17.60) and white blood cell count (OR 1.48 per nL, 95% CI 1.19-1.83) were significantly related to elevated D-dimers even after adjustment for multiple testing. However, acute or persistent symptoms were not significantly associated with increased D-dimers. Elevated D-dimer levels months after an acute COVID-19 disease seems to be associated with markers of inflammation. Further studies are needed to investigate the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms and consequences of prolonged D-dimer elevation in these patients.

Pulmonary Involvement in SARS-CoV-2 Infection Estimates Myocardial Injury Risk

Background and Objectives: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection represents a pathology with primary pulmonary involvement and multisystemic impact, including cardiovascular injuries. The present study aimed to assess the value of clinical, biochemical, and imaging factors in COVID-19 patients in determining the severity of myocardial involvement, and to create a model that can be used toevaluate myocardial injury risk based on clinical, biochemical and imaging factors. Materials and Methods: We performed an observational cohort study on 150 consecutive patients, evaluating their age, sex, hospitalization period, peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO₂) in ambient air, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, biochemical markers of cardiac dysfunction (TnI, and NT-proBNP), inflammatory markers (C reactive protein (CRP), fibrinogen, serum ferritin, interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα)), D-dimers, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), myoglobin and radio-imaging parameters. All patients underwent computerized tomography chest scan in the first two days following admission. Results: We observed elevated heart and respiratory rates, higher systolic blood pressure, and a lower diastolic blood pressure in the patients with cardiac injury; significant differences between groups were registered in TnI, NT-proBNP, LDH, CRP, and D-dimers. For the radiological parameters, we found proportional correlations with the myocardial injury for the severity of lung disease, number of pulmonary segments with alveolar consolidation, number of pulmonary lobes with pneumonia, crazy paving pattern, type of lung involvement, the extent of fibroatelectatic lesions and the mediastinal adenopathies. Conclusions: Myocardial injury occurred in 12% of patients in the study group. Ground glass opacities, interstitial interlobular septal thickening (crazy paving pattern), fibroatelectasic lesions and alveolar consolidations on CT scan were correlated with myocardial injury. Routine lung sectional imaging along with non-specific biomarkers (LDH, D-dimers, and CRP) can be further valuable in the characterization of the disease burden, thus impacting patient care.

Neutrophil count multiplied by D-dimer combined with pneumonia may better predict short-term outcomes in patients with acute ischemic stroke

Objective

To investigate the predictive value of neutrophil, D-dimer and diseases associated with stroke for short-term outcomes of acute ischemic stroke (AIS).

Methods

By collecting the subitems of laboratory data especially routine blood and coagulation test in AIS patients, and recording their clinical status, the correlation, regression and predictive value of each subitem with the short-term outcomes of AIS were analyzed. The predict model was constructed.

Results

The neutrophil count multiplied by D-dimer (NDM) had the best predictive value among the subitems, and the area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve reached 0.804. When clinical information was not considered, the Youden index of NDM was calculated to be 0.48, corresponding to an NDM value of 7.78, a diagnostic sensitivity of 0.79, specificity of 0.69, negative predictive value of 96%. NDM were divided into 5 quintiles, the five grade of NDM (quintile) were < = 1.82, 1.83–2.41, 2.42–3.27, 3.28–4.49, 4.95+, respectively. The multivariate regression analysis was conducted between NDM (quintile), Babinski+, pneumonia, cardiac disease and poor outcomes of AIS. Compared with the first grade of NDM (quintile), the second grade of NDM (quintile) was not significant, but the third grade of NDM (quintile) showed 7.061 times, the fourth grade of NDM (quintile) showed 11.776 times, the fifth grade of NDM (quintile) showed 23.394 times in short-term poor outcomes occurrence. Babinski sign + showed 1.512 times, pneumonia showed 2.995 times, cardiac disease showed 1.936 times in short-term poor outcomes occurrence compared with those negative patients.

Conclusions

NDM combined with pneumonia may better predict short-term outcomes in patients with AIS. Early prevention, regular examination and timely intervention should be emphasized for patients, which may reduce the risk of short-term poor outcomes.

Efficacy of MSC in Patients with Severe COVID-19: Analysis of the Literature and a Case Study

Patients with severe COVID-19 experience cytokine storm, an uncontrolled upregulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines, which if unresolved leads to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), organ damage, and death. Treatments with mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) [Viswanathan S, Shi Y, Galipeau J, et al. Mesenchymal stem versus stromal cells: International Society for Cell & Gene Therapy Mesenchymal Stromal Cell committee position statement on nomenclature. Cytotherapy. 2019;21:1019-1024] appear to be effective in reducing morbidity and mortality. MSC respond to pro-inflammatory cytokines by releasing anti-inflammatory factors and mobilizing immune cells. We analyzed 82 COVID-19 clinical trials registered at ClinicalTrials.gov to determine MSC dosing, routes of administration, and outcome measures. Nearly all trials described the use of intravenous delivery with most doses ranging between 50 and 125 million MSC/treatment, which overlaps with a minimal effective dose range that we described previously. We also searched the literature to analyze clinical trial reports that used MSC to treat COVID-19. MSC were found to improve survival and oxygenation, increase discharge from intensive care units and hospitals, and reduce levels of pro-inflammatory markers. We report on a 91-year-old man with severe COVID-19 who responded rapidly to MSC treatment with transient reductions in several pro-inflammatory markers and delayed improvement in oxygenation. The results suggest that frequent monitoring of pro-inflammatory markers for severe COVID-19 will provide improved treatment guidelines by determining relationships between cytokine storms and ARDS. We propose that markers for cytokine storm are leading indicators for ARDS and that measurement of cytokines will indicate earlier treatment with MSC than is performed now for ARDS in severe COVID-19.

Coronavirus disease 2019 death prediction by electrocardiographic abnormalities and elevated D-dimer levels

Background

Electrocardiography (ECG) plays a very important role in various cardiovascular diseases and elevated D-dimer in serum associated with thrombosis. In patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), immense pieces of evidence showed that ECG abnormalities or elevated D-dimer in serum occurred frequently. However, it remains unclear whether ECG abnormalities combined with elevated D-dimer could be a new risk predictor in patients with COVID-19.

Methods and results

This retrospective cohort study enrolled 416 patients with COVID-19 at Wuhan Tongji Hospital from 1 February to 20 March 2020. ECG manifestations, D-dimer levels, and in-hospital deaths were recorded for all patients. Logistic regression analysis was performed to examine the association between ECG manifestations and in-hospital mortality in patients with elevated D-dimer levels. In patients hospitalized for COVID-19, ST-T abnormalities (34.3%) were the most frequent ECG manifestations, whereas sinus tachycardia (ST) (13.3%) and atrial arrhythmias with rapid rhythms (8.5%) were the two most common cardiac arrhythmias. Compared to severely ill patients with COVID-19, ST-T abnormalities, ST and atrial arrhythmias (p<0.001) with rapid rhythms, D-dimer levels, and in-hospital deaths were significantly more frequent in critically ill patients with COVID-19. Moreover, elevated D-dimer levels were observed in all the patients who died. In the subgroup of 303 patients with elevated serum D-dimer levels, the patient's age, the incidence of ST-T abnormalities, ST, atrial fibrillation (AF), and atrial premature beat were significantly higher than those in the non-elevated D-dimer subgroup. Multivariate logistic regression analysis further revealed that ST and AF were risk factors for in-hospital mortality in COVID-19 patients with elevated D-dimer levels.

Conclusions

ECG abnormalities and elevated D-dimer levels were associated with a higher risk of critical illness and death in patients hospitalized for COVID-19. ECG abnormalities, including ST and AF, combined with elevated D-dimer levels, can be used to predict death in COVID-19.

Fadelallah Eljack M, Salih EH, Altayeb YFO, Nour AB, Abdallah AM, Osman WAM, Yousif MYE. Clinical characteristics, complications, and predictors of outcome of hospitalized adult Sudanese patients with COVID-19 and malaria coinfection in Sudan: A multicenter retrospective cross-sectional study

Malaria and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) share several characteristics that could lead to cross-infection, particularly in malaria-endemic areas. Early COVID-19 symptoms might be misdiagnosed for malaria in clinical settings. Also, both diseases can cause fatal complications. So, laboratory testing for both diseases was recommended by the World Health Organization. To study the clinical characteristics and outcomes of Adult Sudanese patients with COVID-19 and malaria coinfection. This retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted from January 2021 to October 2021 in Wad Medani. Total coverage of all Sudanese patients above 18 years old with a confirmed diagnosis of coinfection with COVID-19 and malaria was included, and data were collected using a data collection sheet. Data were analyzed using R software version 4.0.2. Data were described and presented as mean, standard deviation, and number (percentage). To find associated factors with in-hospital outcome, χ2 test, fisher exact test, and independent t test or Wilcoxon rank-sum test were used. In this study, 156 participants were diagnosed with COVID-19 and malaria coinfection. Most of them were between 60 and 70 years (30.8%), the majority were males (59%). Shortness of breath (76.3%) and acute respiratory distress syndrome (35.3%) were the most common symptom and complications among coinfected patients, respectively. Ground glass opacity (n = 47/49, 95.9%) is the most common result for computed tomography scan. Atrial fibrillation was the most common abnormal electrocardiogram finding (n = 6/62, 9.7%). Overall mortality among all participants was (63/156, 40.4%). High mortality rate was found among the coinfected patients. More attention is needed towards fighting COVID-19 and malaria coinfection. There may be a link between malaria and COVID-19.

Predictive value of hematological and inflammatory markers for severity of COVID-19

Introduction and Aim: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID–19) can cause damage to a wide variety of organs throughout the body, with the lung being its primary focus of attack. The identification of prognostic indicators in COVID-19 can be of assistance in the management of the disease, in instances that are critical or severe. The purpose of this study was to investigate the hematological and inflammatory indicators in COVID-19 patients who were hospitalized and determine how closely those markers are associated with the severity of the condition.   Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional prospective analysis, there were a total of 200 patients diagnosed with COVID-19. The demographic information and comorbidities of the patients were gathered through direct questioning. The indicators of the complete blood count were recorded for every patient. In addition, tests were performed on D-dimer, ferritin, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and C reactive protein (CRP). Systemic immune inflammation index (SII) was calculated. The association of demographic and laboratory parameters with patient’s outcome evaluated.    Results: After a 30-day follow-up, 32 patients (16%) out of 200 required ICU hospitalization, with eight of them (4%) dying. Each of the following od diabetes (OR=4.2; 95 % CI= 1.8-2291, p=0.021), hypertension (OR=3.1, 95 % CI=1.21-19.11, p=0.033), D-dimmer (OR=3.22, 95 % CI=1.43-9.12, p=0.037), ferritin (OR=2.18, 95 % CI=1.4-7.22, p=0.027), NLR (OR=3.26, 95% CI=1.5-7.18, p= 0.023), LDH (OR= 6.23, 95% CI=1.77-22.9, p=0.034), and CRP (OR=4.56, 95% CI=1.32-28.85, p=0.007), were independent risk factors for severity of COVID-19.   Conclusion: The comorbidities diabetes and hypertension, as well as the levels of D-dimer, serum ferritin, NLR, LDH, and CRP, could be utilized to predict COVID-19 severity and its outcome.

Airway management, procedural data, and in-hospital mortality records of patients undergoing surgery for mucormycosis associated with coronavirus disease (COVID-19)

Purpose

Although unexpected airway difficulties are reported in patients with mucormycosis, the literature on airway management in patients with mucormycosis associated with Coronavirus disease is sparse.

Methods

In this retrospective case record review of 57 patients who underwent surgery for mucormycosis associated with coronavirus disease, we aimed to evaluate the demographics, airway management, procedural data, and in-hospital mortality records.

Results

Forty-one (71.9%) patients had a diagnosis of sino-nasal mucormycosis, fourteen (24.6%) patients had a diagnosis of rhino-orbital mucormycosis, and 2 (3.5%) patients had a diagnosis of palatal mucormycosis. A total of 44 (77.2%) patients had co-morbidities. The most common co-morbidities were diabetes mellitus in 42 (73.6%) patients, followed by hypertension in 21 (36.8%) patients, and acute kidney injury in 14 (28.1%) patients. We used the intubation difficulty scale score to assess intubating conditions. Intubation was easy to slightly difficult in 53 (92.9%) patients. In our study, mortality occurred in 7 (12.3%) patients. The median (range) mortality time was 60 (27–74) days. The median (range) time to hospital discharge was 53.5 (10–85) days. The median [interquartile range] age of discharged versus expired patients was 47.5 [41,57.5] versus 64 [47,70] years (P = 0.04), and median (interquartile range) D-dimer levels in discharged versus expired patients was 364 [213, 638] versus 2448 [408,3301] ng/mL (P = 0.03).

Conclusion

In patients undergoing surgery for mucormycosis associated with the coronavirus disease, airway management was easy to slightly difficult in most patients. Perioperative complications can be minimized by taking timely and precautionary measures.

Current and novel biomarkers of thrombotic risk in COVID-19: a Consensus Statement from the International COVID-19 Thrombosis Biomarkers Colloquium

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) predisposes patients to thrombotic and thromboembolic events, owing to excessive inflammation, endothelial cell activation and injury, platelet activation and hypercoagulability. Patients with COVID-19 have a prothrombotic or thrombophilic state, with elevations in the levels of several biomarkers of thrombosis, which are associated with disease severity and prognosis. Although some biomarkers of COVID-19-associated coagulopathy, including high levels of fibrinogen and D-dimer, were recognized early during the pandemic, many new biomarkers of thrombotic risk in COVID-19 have emerged. In this Consensus Statement, we delineate the thrombotic signature of COVID-19 and present the latest biomarkers and platforms to assess the risk of thrombosis in these patients, including markers of platelet activation, platelet aggregation, endothelial cell activation or injury, coagulation and fibrinolysis as well as biomarkers of the newly recognized post-vaccine thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome. We then make consensus recommendations for the clinical use of these biomarkers to inform prognosis, assess disease acuity, and predict thrombotic risk and in-hospital mortality. A thorough understanding of these biomarkers might aid risk stratification and prognostication, guide interventions and provide a platform for future research.

Frequency and predictors of no-reflow phenomenon in patients with COVID-19 presenting with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction

OBJECTIVES

Thrombotic process is triggered in the course of Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19), which is a global pandemic, and both arterial and venous systems are affected. ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) that may develop in these patients may cause more complicated results with the effect of thrombosis burden. Our aim in this study is to determine the frequency of no-reflow phenomenon in COVID-19 patients with STEMI and to determine the factors that predict this complication.

METHODS

In this study, which is a single-centre, retrospective and observational, a total of 126 patients who underwent primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI) in our centre due to STEMI between 11 March 2020 and 10 January 2021 were evaluated. Patients were divided into two groups according to the presence of COVID-19 infection.

RESULTS

While 62 patients were in the COVID-19 (+) group, 64 patients were evaluated in the COVID-19 (-) group. When the two groups are compared, C-reactive protein, D-dimer, ferritin and neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) were significantly higher, and the lymphocyte count was significantly lower in the COVID-19 (+) group. No-reflow was numerically higher in patients with COVID-19. In multivariable analysis, D-dimer and NLR were found to be independent predictors of no-reflow phenomenon in COVID-19 patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Although the no-reflow phenomenon was numerically higher in COVID-19 patients who underwent pPCI due to STEMI compared to the non-COVID group, no statistical difference was found in our study. However, NLR and D-dimer have been identified as independent predictors of no-reflow development risk in COVID-19 patients.

Plasma D-dimer level in early and late-onset neonatal sepsis

BACKGROUND

Neonatal sepsis is a life-threatening disease. Early diagnosis is essential, but no single marker of infection has been identified. Sepsis activates a coagulation cascade with simultaneous production of the D-dimers due to lysis of fibrin. D-dimer test reflects the activation of the coagulation system.

AIM

To assess the D-dimer plasma level, elaborating its clinicopathological value in neonates with early-onset and late-onset neonatal sepsis.

METHODS

The study was a prospective cross-sectional study that included ninety neonates; divided into three groups: Group I: Early-onset sepsis (EOS); Group II: Late-onset sepsis (LOS); and Group III: Control group. We diagnosed neonatal sepsis according to our protocol. C-reactive protein (CRP) and D-dimer assays were compared between EOS and LOS and correlated to the causative microbiological agents.

RESULTS

D-dimer was significantly higher in septic groups with a considerably higher number of cases with positive D-dimer. Neonates with LOS had substantially higher levels of D-dimer than EOS, with no significant differences in CRP. Neonates with LOS had a significantly longer hospitalization duration and higher gram-negative bacteriemia and mortality rates than EOS (P < 0.01). Gram-negative bacteria have the highest D-dimer levels (Acinetobacter, Klebsiella, and Pseudomonas) and CRP (Serratia, Klebsiella, and Pseudomonas); while gram-positive sepsis was associated with relatively lower levels. D-dimer had a significant negative correlation with hemoglobin level and platelet count; and a significant positive correlation with CRP, hospitalization duration, and mortality rates. The best-suggested cut-off point for D-dimer in neonatal sepsis was 0.75 mg/L, giving a sensitivity of 72.7% and specificity of 86.7%. The D-dimer assay has specificity and sensitivity comparable to CRP in the current study.

CONCLUSION

The current study revealed a significant diagnostic value for D-dimer in neonatal sepsis. D-dimer can be used as an adjunct to other sepsis markers to increase the sensitivity and specificity of diagnosing neonatal sepsis.

COVID‑19: Main findings after a year and half of unease and the proper scientific progress (Review)

Since the emergence of the disease in late December 2019, numerous studies have been published to date regarding clinical, laboratory and treatment aspects associated with COVID-19. The present study attempts to compare and unify the clinical, para-clinical and therapeutic aspects that have come to light regarding coronavirus disease-19 (COVID 19), mainly in adults. Between April 2020 and September 2021, a comprehensive systematic literature review was performed, which we added to from our own medical experiences. The search was performed on the PubMed, Scopus and Google Scholar databases, comprising studies with analyzable data that were identified alongside studies and documents containing general scientific data. All published studies were written in English, and were from different countries. A 95% confidence interval (CI95) was also calculated for almost each study using the Wilson formula. When compared with preliminary reports between December 2019 and January 2020, the most frequent symptoms were still identified as being fever (68.6%; CI95: 67.5-69.7) and cough (72.7%; CI95: 71.7-73.8). Nevertheless, asymptomatic cases also increased (by 21.4%; CI95: 16.6-27.1). Severe and critical cases accounted for 10.4% (CI95: 9.6-11.1) of all cases. The mean fatality rate was found to be 4% (CI95: 3.6-4.5). The primary co-morbidity found was hypertension (28.9%; CI95: 27-30.8), followed by other underlying cardiovascular diseases (15.4%; CI95: 13.9-16.9) and diabetes (14.5%; CI95: 13.1-16.1). The majority of studies showed lower white blood cell numbers with neutropenia and lymphopenia, and lower platelet levels. The levels of the biomarkers C-reaction protein and erythrocyte sedimentation rate were positive in all studied cases alongside other lab tests, such as examining the D-dimer levels and those of other hepatic, cardiac and renal injury markers. The procalcitonin level was also found to be elevated in many cases, resulting in high usage of antibiotics (83.7%; CI95: 81.2-85.9). Approximately 31.6% (CI95: 29.1-34.1) of the patients required non-invasive ventilation, whereas 9.9% (CI95: 8.1-12.1) of the patients were intubated or placed on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. The most used antivirals were ribavirin (67.3%; CI95: 63.4-70.9), oseltamivir (52.5%; CI95: 49.4-55.5) and Arbidol™ (34.5%; CI95: 32-37.1). General admittance to the intensive care unit was ~7.2% (CI95: 6.5-7.9) of patients.

Comparison of Analytical Values D-Dimer, Glucose, Ferritin and C-Reactive Protein of Symptomatic and Asymptomatic COVID-19 Patients

Those infected by COVID-19 develop various kinds of complications with varying degrees of severity. For this reason, it is necessary to evaluate its analytical values to predict and reduce the risks and complications derived from this pathology. A cross-sectional study was carried out a population in Almeria (south-eastern Spain) who had a positive Polymerase Chain Reaction test result from 1 March 2020 to 30 November 2020. The study involved 4575 patients, with 1346 who were asymptomatic, 1653 mildly symptomatic (no hospitalisation needed) and 1576 severely symptomatic (symptomatic patients hospitalised). Laboratory values for D-dimer, glucose, serum ferritin, and C-reactive protein were analysed. The mean age of the participants in the study was 53.60 (16.89) years old. A total of 70.6% of the patients were symptomatic, of which 36.1% had mild symptoms. For all of the laboratory predictors analysed (D-dimer, glucose, serum ferritin, and C-reactive protein), it was found that severe alterations in the parameters were more frequent in severely symptomatic patients with statistically significant differences (p < 0.001), although these alterations also occurred in asymptomatic patients. Age correlated with analytical values (D-dimer, glucose, serum ferritin, and C-reactive protein) with statistically significant differences. Patients with severe symptoms presented alterations in the analytical values of D-dimer, glucose, serum ferritin, and C-reactive protein. Asymptomatic patients presented alterations in the analysed parameters, though with less frequency and severity than patients with severe symptoms.

Biomarkers of Cardiac Injury, Renal Injury, and Inflammation Are Strong Mediators of Sex-Associated Death in COVID-19

Background

Studies examining outcomes among individuals with COronaVIrus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) have consistently demonstrated that men have worse outcomes than women, with a higher incidence of myocardial injury, respiratory failure, and death. However, mechanisms of higher morbidity and mortality among men remain poorly understood. We aimed to identify mediators of the relationship between sex and COVID-19-associated mortality.

Methods

Patients hospitalized at two quaternary care facilities, New York Presbyterian Hospital (CUIMC/NYPH) and Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), for SARS-CoV-2 infection between February and May 2020 were included. Five independent biomarkers were identified as mediators of sex effects, including high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T (hs-cTNT), high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), ferritin, D-dimer, and creatinine.

Results

In the CUIMC/NYPH cohort (n = 2,626, 43% female), male sex was associated with significantly greater mortality (26 vs. 21%, p = 0.0146) and higher peak hs-cTNT, hs-CRP, ferritin, D-dimer, and creatinine (p &lt; 0.001). The effect of male sex on the primary outcome of death was partially mediated by peak values of all five biomarkers, suggesting that each pathophysiological pathway may contribute to increased risk of death in men. Hs-cTnT, creatinine, and hs-CRP were the strongest mediators. Findings were highly consistent in the MGH cohort with the exception of D-dimer.

Conclusions

This study suggests that the effect of sex on COVID-19 outcomes is mediated by cardiac and kidney injury, as well as underlying differences in inflammation and iron metabolism. Exploration of these specific pathways may facilitate sex-directed diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for patients with COVID-19 and provides a framework for the study of sex differences in other complex diseases.

Clinical features predicting COVID-19 mortality risk

Currently, the world is involved by a pandemic of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS CoV-2), which has been responsible for the deaths of hundreds of thousands of people so far. The consequences of infection with SARS-CoV-2 vary widely from asymptomatic to severe. Considering the increasing prevalence of different types of virus and acute infection with this disease, strategies to prevent mortality from COVID-19 should be seriously analyzed. In this study, the epidemiological, clinical and laboratory characteristics of patients with COVID-19 were investigated in order to identify risk factors for mortality. Chronic diseases such as chronic kidney disease (CKD), COPD, diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease (CVD), cancer, increased D-dimer, male gender, old age, smoking and obesity are among the deadly risk factors associated COVID-19. Furthermore, lymphopenia and neutrophilia are often present in patients with SARS-CoV-2, and the ratio of absolute neutrophils to lymphocytes (NLR) was significantly increased in patients without bacterial infection. These findings could be used in the future to control and prevent disease, because timely identification of patients with risk of COVID-19 is important to provide better treatment strategies for reduction of mortality.

D-dimer Levels in Predicting Severity of Infection and Outcome in Patients with COVID-19

COVID-19 disease began to spread all around the world in December 2019 until now; and in the early stage it may be related to high D-dimer level that indicates coagulation pathways and thrombosis activation that can be affected by some underlying diseases including diabetes, stroke, cancer, and pregnancy and it also can be associated with Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The aim of this article was to analyze D-dimer levels in COVID-19 patients, as D-dimer level is one of the measures to detect the severity and outcomes of COVID-19. According to the results of this study, there is a higher level of D-dimer as well as concentrations of fibrinogen in the disease onset and it seems that the poor prognosis is linked to a 3 to 4-fold increase in D-dimer levels. It is also shown that 76% of the patients with ≥1 D-dimer measurement, had elevated D-dimer and were more likely to have critical illness than those with normal D-dimer. There was an increase in the rates of adverse outcomes with higher D-dimer of more than 2000 ng/mL and it is associated with the highest risk of death at 47%, thrombotic event at 37.8%, and critical illness at 66%. It also found that diabetes and COPD had the strongest association with death in COVID-19. So, it is necessary to measure the D-dimer levels and parameters of coagulation from the beginning as well as pay attention to comorbidities that can help control and management of COVID-19 disease.

The evaluation of both the expression and serum protein levels of Caspase-3 gene in patients with different degrees of SARS-CoV2 infection

To evaluate the effects of Caspase-3 (CASP3) gene expression and serum levels on preventing severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. A total of 41 individuals (male: 21; female: 20) with SARS-CoV-2 infection were included in the current study. Hemograms were examined from patient blood samples, and CASP3 gene expression levels were detected. Also, human CASP3 levels were determined from the serum samples of patients. The mean age of patients was 56.220 ± 18.937 years. Significant differences were detected among all groups for CASP3  2 - ΔΔ C t (p = 0.014) and CASP3 concentration (p = 0.024). The relationship between CASP3 2 - ΔΔ C t levels and hemoglobin (p = 0.023), between CASP3 2 - ΔΔ C t levels and C-reactive protein (CRP) (p = 0.001), between CASP3 2 - ΔΔ C t levels and ferritin (p = 0.003), between CASP3 2 - ΔΔ C t levels and lactate dehydrogenase (p =  0.001), and between CASP3 2 - ΔΔ C t levels and SpO2 (p = 0.006) were statistically significant. Also, the relationship between CASP3 concentration levels and SpO2 was statistically significant (p < 0.046). The CASP3 gene and/or its products have an important function to prevent injury caused by SARS-CoV-2 infection. They play crucial roles in maintaining cellular homeostasis and viability. Perhaps CASP3 levels may provide information about the severity of the disease.

A central role for amyloid fibrin microclots in long COVID/PASC: origins and therapeutic implications

Post-acute sequelae of COVID (PASC), usually referred to as 'Long COVID' (a phenotype of COVID-19), is a relatively frequent consequence of SARS-CoV-2 infection, in which symptoms such as breathlessness, fatigue, 'brain fog', tissue damage, inflammation, and coagulopathies (dysfunctions of the blood coagulation system) persist long after the initial infection. It bears similarities to other post-viral syndromes, and to myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS). Many regulatory health bodies still do not recognize this syndrome as a separate disease entity, and refer to it under the broad terminology of 'COVID', although its demographics are quite different from those of acute COVID-19. A few years ago, we discovered that fibrinogen in blood can clot into an anomalous 'amyloid' form of fibrin that (like other β-rich amyloids and prions) is relatively resistant to proteolysis (fibrinolysis). The result, as is strongly manifested in platelet-poor plasma (PPP) of individuals with Long COVID, is extensive fibrin amyloid microclots that can persist, can entrap other proteins, and that may lead to the production of various autoantibodies. These microclots are more-or-less easily measured in PPP with the stain thioflavin T and a simple fluorescence microscope. Although the symptoms of Long COVID are multifarious, we here argue that the ability of these fibrin amyloid microclots (fibrinaloids) to block up capillaries, and thus to limit the passage of red blood cells and hence O2 exchange, can actually underpin the majority of these symptoms. Consistent with this, in a preliminary report, it has been shown that suitable and closely monitored 'triple' anticoagulant therapy that leads to the removal of the microclots also removes the other symptoms. Fibrin amyloid microclots represent a novel and potentially important target for both the understanding and treatment of Long COVID and related disorders.

Clinical outcomes and the impact of prior oral anticoagulant use in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 admitted to hospitals in the UK - a multicentre observational study

Coagulation dysfunction and thrombosis are major complications in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Patients on oral anticoagulants (OAC) prior to diagnosis of COVID-19 may therefore have better outcomes. In this multicentre observational study of 5 883 patients (≥18 years) admitted to 26 UK hospitals between 1 April 2020 and 31 July 2020, overall mortality was 29·2%. Incidences of thrombosis, major bleeding (MB) and multiorgan failure (MOF) were 5·4%, 1·7% and 3·3% respectively. The presence of thrombosis, MB, or MOF was associated with a 1·8, 4·5 or 5·9-fold increased risk of dying, respectively. Of the 5 883 patients studied, 83·6% (n = 4 920) were not on OAC and 16·4% (n = 963) were taking OAC at the time of admission. There was no difference in mortality between patients on OAC vs no OAC prior to admission when compared in an adjusted multivariate analysis [hazard ratio (HR) 1·05, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0·93-1·19; P = 0·15] or in an adjusted propensity score analysis (HR 0·92 95% CI 0·58-1·450; P = 0·18). In multivariate and adjusted propensity score analyses, the only significant association of no anticoagulation prior to diagnosis of COVID-19 was admission to the Intensive-Care Unit (ICU) (HR 1·98, 95% CI 1·37-2·85). Thrombosis, MB, and MOF were associated with higher mortality. Our results indicate that patients may have benefit from prior OAC use, especially reduced admission to ICU, without any increase in bleeding.

Impact of persistent D-dimer elevation following recovery from COVID-19

BACKGROUND

Elevated D-dimer is known as predictor for severity of SARS-CoV2-infection. Increased D-dimer is associated with thromboembolic complications, but it is also a direct consequence of the acute lung injury seen in COVID-19 pneumonia.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the rate of persistent elevated D-dimer and its association with thromboembolic complications and persistent ground glass opacities (GGO) after recovery from COVID-19.

METHODS

In this post hoc analysis of a prospective multicenter trial, patients underwent blood sampling, measurement of diffusion capacity, blood gas analysis, and multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) scan following COVID-19. In case of increased D-dimer (>0,5 μg/ml), an additional contrast medium-enhanced CT was performed in absence of contraindications. Results were compared between patients with persistent D-dimer elevation and patients with normal D-dimer level.

RESULTS

129 patients (median age 48.8 years; range 19-91 years) underwent D-Dimer assessment after a median (IQR) of 94 days (64-130) following COVID-19. D-dimer elevation was found in 15% (19/129) and was significantly more common in patients who had experienced a severe SARS-CoV2 infection that had required hospitalisation compared to patients with mild disease (p = 0.049). Contrast-medium CT (n = 15) revealed an acute pulmonary embolism in one patient and CTEPH in another patient. A significant lower mean pO2 (p = 0.015) and AaDO2 (p = 0.043) were observed in patients with persistent D-Dimer elevation, but the rate of GGO were similar in both patient groups (p = 0.33).

CONCLUSION

In 15% of the patients recovered from COVID-19, persistent D-dimer elevation was observed after a median of 3 months following COVID-19. These patients had experienced a more severe COVID and still presented more frequently a lower mean pO2 and AaDO2.

Outcome-Stratified Analysis of Biomarker Trajectories for Patients Infected With Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2

Longitudinal trajectories of vital signs and biomarkers during admission remain poorly characterized for COVID-19 patients despite their potential to provide critical insights about disease progression. We studied 1884 patients with SARS-CoV2 infection from 3/4/2020-6/25/2020 within one Maryland hospital system and used a retrospective longitudinal framework with linear mixed-effects models to investigate relevant biomarker trajectories leading up to three critical outcomes: mechanical ventilation, discharge, and death. Trajectories of four vital signs (respiratory rate, SpO₂/FiO₂, pulse, and temperature) and four lab values (C-reactive protein (CRP), absolute lymphocyte count (ALC), estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), and D-dimer) clearly distinguished the trajectories of COVID-19 patients. Prior to any ventilation, log-CRP, log-ALC, respiratory rate, and SpO₂/FiO₂ trajectories diverge approximately 8-10 days before discharge or death. Following ventilation, log-CRP, log-ALC, respiratory rate, SpO₂/FiO₂, and eGFR trajectories again diverge 10-20 days prior to death or discharge. Trajectories improved until discharge and remained unchanged or worsened until death. Our approach characterizes the distribution of biomarker trajectories leading up to competing outcomes of discharge versus death. Moving forward, this model can contribute to quantifying the joint probability of future biomarkers and outcomes provided clinical data up to a given moment.

Research on Influencing Factors and Classification of Patients With Mild and Severe COVID-19 Symptoms

Objective

To analyze the epidemiological history, clinical symptoms, laboratory testing parameters of patients with mild and severe COVID-19 infection, and provide a reference for timely judgment of changes in the patients’ conditions and the formulation of epidemic prevention and control strategies.

Methods

A retrospective study was conducted in this research, a total of 90 patients with COVID-19 infection who received treatment from January 21 to March 31, 2020 in the Ninth People’s Hospital of Dongguan City were selected as study subject. We analyzed the clinical characteristics of laboratory-confirmed patients with COVID-19, used the oversampling method (SMOTE) to solve the imbalance of categories, and established Lasso-logistic regression and random forest models.

Results

Among the 90 confirmed COVID-19 cases, 79 were mild and 11 were severe. The average age of the patients was 36.1 years old, including 49 males and 41 females. The average age of severe patients is significantly older than that of mild patients (53.2 years old vs 33.7 years old). The average time from illness onset to hospital admission was 4.1 days and the average actual hospital stay was 18.7 days, both of these time actors were longer for severe patients than for mild patients. Forty-eight of the 90 patients (53.3%) had family cluster infections, which was similar among mild and severe patients. Comorbidities of underlying diseases were more common in severe patients, including hypertension, diabetes and other diseases. The most common symptom was cough [45 (50%)], followed by fever [43 (47.8%)], headache [7 (7.8%)], vomiting [3 (3.3%)], diarrhea [3 (3.3%)], and dyspnea [1 (1.1%)]. The laboratory findings of patients also included leukopenia [13(14.4%)] and lymphopenia (17.8%). Severe patients had a low level of creatine kinase (median 40.9) and a high level of D-dimer. The median NLR of severe patients was 2.82, which was higher than that of mild patients. Logistic regression showed that age, phosphocreatine kinase, procalcitonin, the lymphocyte count of the patient on admission, cough, fatigue, and pharynx dryness were independent predictors of COVID-19 severity. The classification of random forest was predicted and the importance of each variable was displayed. The variable importance of random forest indicates that age, D-dimer, NLR (neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio) and other top-ranked variables are risk factors.

Conclusion

The clinical symptoms of COVID-19 patients are non-specific and complicated. Age and the time from onset to admission are important factors that determine the severity of the patient’s condition. Patients with mild illness should be closely monitored to identify those who may become severe. Variables such as age and creatine phosphate kinase selected by logistic regression can be used as important indicators to assess the disease severity of COVID-19 patients. The importance of variables in the random forest further complements the variable feature information.

COVID-19 pandemic and reasons to prioritize the needs of the health care system to ensure its sustainability: A scoping review from January to October 2020 (Review)

The worldwide spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) led the World Health Organization to characterize the pandemic as a public health emergency of international concern. National health care systems in countries during the initial surge of the pandemic were unable to handle the sanitarian crisis that had emerged. Thus, the prevention and control of future global health emergencies must be a priority. The present scoping review aimed to retrieve articles that summarize the current experience on issues related to historical knowledge, and epidemiology, clinical features and overall burden of SARS-CoV-2 on health care services. In summary, a comprehensive overview of the information that has been learnt during this period is presented in the current review. Furthermore, taking into account the global experience, the need for planning cohesive and functional health services before similar pandemic events occur in the future is highlighted. The next public health issue should be prevented rather than treated. In spite of the vaccination benefits, a number of sporadic cases of SARS-CoV-2infections will persist. Information collected remains relevant for appraising how similar threats can be faced in the future. Overall, collaborative health care plans need to be rethought to increase preparedness.

High-value laboratory testing for hospitalized COVID-19 patients: a review

We present here an evidence-based review of the utility, timing, and indications for laboratory test use in the domains of inflammation, cardiology, hematology, nephrology and co-infection for clinicians managing the care of hospitalized COVID-19 patients. Levels of IL-6, CRP, absolute lymphocyte count, neutrophils and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio obtained upon admission may help predict the severity of COVID-19. Elevated LDH, ferritin, AST, and d-dimer are associated with severe illness and mortality. Elevated cardiac troponin at hospital admission can alert clinicians to patients at risk for cardiac complications. Elevated proBNP may help distinguish a cardiac complication from noncardiac etiologies. Evaluation for co-infection is typically unnecessary in nonsevere cases but is essential in severe COVID-19, intensive care unit patients, and immunocompromised patients.

D-dimer as a biomarker for assessment of COVID-19 prognosis: D-dimer levels on admission and its role in predicting disease outcome in hospitalized patients with COVID-19

Introduction

Coronavirus Disease 2019 is a primarily respiratory illness that can cause thrombotic disorders. Elevation of D-dimer is a potential biomarker for poor prognosis in COVID-19, though optimal cutoff value for D-dimer to predict mortality has not yet been established. This study aims to assess the accuracy of admission D-dimer in the prognosis of COVID-19 and to establish the optimal cutoff D-dimer value to predict hospital mortality.

Methods

Clinical and laboratory parameters and outcomes of confirmed COVID-19 cases admitted to four hospitals in Kathmandu were retrospectively analyzed. Admitted COVID-19 cases with recorded D-dimer and definitive outcomes were included consecutively. D-dimer was measured using immunofluorescence assay and reported in Fibrinogen Equivalent Unit (μg/ml). The receiver operating characteristic curve was used to determine the accuracy of D-dimer in predicting mortality, and to calculate the optimal cutoff value, based on which patients were divided into two groups and predictive value of D-dimer for mortality was measured.

Results

182 patients were included in the study out of which 34(18.7%) died during the hospital stay. The mean admission D-dimer among surviving patients was 1.067 μg/ml (±1.705 μg/ml), whereas that among patients who died was 3.208 μg/ml (±2.613 μg/ml). ROC curve for D-dimer and mortality gave an area under the curve of 0.807 (95% CI 0.728–0.886, p<0.001). Optimal cutoff value for D-dimer was 1.5 μg/ml (sensitivity 70.6%, specificity 78.4%). On Cox proportional hazards regression analysis, the unadjusted hazard ratio for high D-dimer was 6.809 (95% CI 3.249–14.268, p<0.001), and 5.862 (95% CI 2.751–12.489, p<0.001) when adjusted for age.

Conclusion

D-dimer value on admission is an accurate biomarker for predicting mortality in patients with COVID-19. 1.5 μg/ml is the optimal cutoff value of admission D-dimer for predicting mortality in COVID-19 patients.

Mortality-related risk factors of COVID-19: a systematic review and meta-analysis of 42 studies and 423,117 patients

Background

Mortality rates of coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) continue to rise across the world. The impact of several risk factors on coronavirus mortality has been previously reported in several meta‐analyses limited by small sample sizes. In this systematic review, we aimed to summarize available findings on the association between comorbidities, complications, smoking status, obesity, gender, age and D-dimer, and risk of mortality from COVID-19 using a large dataset from a number of studies.

Method

Electronic databases including Google Scholar, Cochrane Library, Web of Sciences (WOS), EMBASE, Medline/PubMed, COVID-19 Research Database, and Scopus, were systematically searched till 31 August 2020. We included all human studies regardless of language, publication date or region. Forty-two studies with a total of 423,117 patients met the inclusion criteria. To pool the estimate, a mixed-effect model was used. Moreover, publication bias and sensitivity analysis were evaluated.

Results

The findings of the included studies were consistent in stating the contribution of comorbidities, gender, age, smoking status, obesity, acute kidney injury, and D-dimer as a risk factor to increase the requirement for advanced medical care. The analysis results showed that the pooled prevalence of mortality among hospitalized patients with COVID-19 was 17.62% (95% CI 14.26–21.57%, 42 studies and 423,117 patients). Older age has shown increased risk of mortality due to coronavirus and the pooled odds ratio (pOR) and hazard ratio (pHR) were 2.61 (95% CI 1.75–3.47) and 1.31 (95% CI 1.11–1.51), respectively. A significant association were found between COVID-19 mortality and male (pOR = 1.45; 95% CI 1.41–1.51; pHR = 1.24; 95% CI 1.07–1.41), and current smoker (pOR = 1.42; 95% CI 1.01–1.83). Furthermore, risk of mortality among hospitalized COVID-19 patients is highly influenced by patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), Cardiovascular Disease (CVD), diabetes, hypertension, obese, cancer, acute kidney injury and increase D-dimer.

Conclusion

Chronic comorbidities, complications, and demographic variables including acute kidney injury, COPD, diabetes, hypertension, CVD, cancer, increased D-dimer, male gender, older age, current smoker, and obesity are clinical risk factors for a fatal outcome associated with coronavirus. The findings could be used for disease’s future research, control and prevention.

Current systematic reviews and meta-analyses of COVID-19

BACKGROUND

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has left a significant impact on the world's health, economic and political systems; as of November 20, 2020, more than 57 million people have been infected worldwide, with over 1.3 million deaths. While the global spotlight is currently focused on combating this pandemic through means ranging from finding a treatment among existing therapeutic agents to inventing a vaccine that can aid in halting the further loss of life.

AIM

To collect all systematic reviews and meta-analyses published related to COVID-19 to better identify available evidence, highlight gaps in knowledge, and elucidate further meta-analyses and umbrella reviews that are yet to be performed.

METHODS

We explored studies based on systematic reviews and meta-analyses with the key-terms, including severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), SARS virus, coronavirus disease, COVID-19, and SARS coronavirus-2. The included studies were extracted from Embase, Medline, and Cochrane databases. The publication timeframe of included studies ranged between January 01, 2020, to October 30, 2020. Studies that were published in languages other than English were not considered for this systematic review. The finalized full-text articles are freely accessible in the public domain.

RESULTS

Searching Embase, Medline, and Cochrane databases resulted in 1906, 669, and 19 results, respectively, that comprised 2594 studies. 515 duplicates were subsequently removed, leaving 2079 studies. The inclusion criteria were systematic reviews or meta-analyses. 860 results were excluded for being a review article, scope review, rapid review, panel review, or guideline that produced a total of 1219 studies. After screening articles were categorized, the included articles were put into main groups of clinical presentation, epidemiology, screening and diagnosis, severity assessment, special populations, and treatment. Subsequently, there was a second subclassification into the following groups: gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, neurological, stroke, thrombosis, anosmia and dysgeusia, ocular manifestations, nephrology, cutaneous manifestations, D-dimer, lymphocyte, anticoagulation, antivirals, convalescent plasma, immunosuppressants, corticosteroids, hydroxychloroquine, renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, technology, diabetes mellitus, obesity, pregnancy, children, mental health_, smoking, cancer, and transplant.

CONCLUSION

Among the included articles, it is clear that further research is needed regarding treatment options and vaccines. With more studies, data will be less heterogeneous, and statistical analysis can be better applied to provide more robust clinical evidence. This study was not designed to give recommendations regarding the management of COVID-19.

Post-anticoagulant D-dimer is a highly prognostic biomarker of COVID-19 mortality

Clinical biomarkers that accurately predict mortality are needed for the effective management of patients with severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) illness. In this study, we determine whether changes in D-dimer levels after anticoagulation are independently predictive of in-hospital mortality. Adult patients hospitalised for severe COVID-19 who received therapeutic anticoagulation for thromboprophylaxis were identified from a large COVID-19 database of the Mount Sinai Health System in New York City (NY, USA). We studied the ability of post-anticoagulant D-dimer levels to predict in-hospital mortality, while taking into consideration 65 other clinically important covariates including patient demographics, comorbidities, vital signs and several laboratory tests. 1835 adult patients with PCR-confirmed COVID-19 who received therapeutic anticoagulation during hospitalisation were included. Overall, 26% of patients died in the hospital. Significantly different in-hospital mortality rates were observed in patient groups based on mean D-dimer levels and trend following anticoagulation: 49% for the high mean-increase trend group; 27% for the high-decrease group; 21% for the low-increase group; and 9% for the low-decrease group (p<0.001). Using penalised logistic regression models to simultaneously analyse 67 clinical variables, the high increase (adjusted odds ratios (ORadj): 6.58, 95% CI 3.81-11.16), low increase (ORadj: 4.06, 95% CI 2.23-7.38) and high decrease (ORadj: 2.37; 95% CI 1.37-4.09) D-dimer groups (reference: low decrease group) had the highest odds for in-hospital mortality among all clinical features. Changes in D-dimer levels and trend following anticoagulation are highly predictive of in-hospital mortality and may help guide resource allocation and future studies of emerging treatments for severe COVID-19.

Compromised Lung Volume and Hemostatic Abnormalities in COVID-19 Pneumonia: Results from an Observational Study on 510 Consecutive Patients

BACKGROUND

Hemostatic abnormalities have been described in COVID-19, and pulmonary microthrombosis was consistently found at autopsy with concomitant severe lung damage.

METHODS

This is a retrospective observational cross-sectional study including consecutive patients with COVID-19 pneumonia who underwent unenhanced chest CT upon admittance at the emergency room (ER) in one large academic hospital. QCT was used for the calculation of compromised lung volume (%CL). Clinical data were retrieved from patients' files. Laboratory data were obtained upon presentation at the ER.

AIM

The aim of this study was to evaluate the correlation between hemostatic abnormalities and lung involvement in patients affected by COVID-19 pneumonia as described using computer-aided quantitative evaluation of chest CT (quantitative CT (QCT)).

RESULTS

A total of 510 consecutive patients (68% males), aged 67 years in median, diagnosed with COVID-19 pneumonia, who underwent unenhanced CT scan upon admission to the ER, were included. In all, 115 patients had %CL > 23%; compared to those with %CL < 23%, they showed higher levels of D-dimer, fibrinogen, and CRP, greater platelet count, and longer PT ratio. Via multivariate regression analysis, BMI ≥ 30 kg/m², D-dimer levels > 500 ng/mL, CRP > 5.0 ng/mL and PT ratio > 1.2 were found to be independent predictors of a %CL > 23% (adjusted odds ratios (95% confidence intervals): 2.1 (1.1-4.0), 3.1 (1.6-5.8), 2.4 (1.3-4.5), and 3.4 (1.4-8.5), respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

Hemostatic abnormalities in patients affected by COVID-19 correlate with the severity of lung injury as measured by %CL. Our results underline the pathogenetic role of hemostasis in COVID-19 pneumonia beyond the presence of clinically evident thromboembolic complications.