Contribution value of coagulation abnormalities in COVID-19 prognosis: a bright perspective on the laboratory pattern of patients with coronavirus disease 2019

Status of major hemostatic components in the setting of COVID-19: the effect on endothelium, platelets, coagulation factors, fibrinolytic system, and complement

The coagulation, fibrinolytic, anticoagulation, and complement systems are in delicate balance with the vessel wall endothelium ensuring appropriate hemostasis. Coagulopathy in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is not a simple disorder of one hemostatic component but a complicated process affecting most of the hemostasis system. COVID-19 disturbs the balance between the procoagulant systems and the regulatory mechanisms. Here, we investigate the effect of COVID-19 on key hemostatic components, including platelets, endothelial cells, coagulation factors, fibrinolytic system, anticoagulant protein system, and complement system, to improve our understanding of the pathophysiological processes underlying COVID-19 coagulopathy based on evidence.

TEG®, Microclot and Platelet Mapping for Guiding Early Management of Severe COVID-19 Coagulopathy

An important component of severe COVID-19 disease is virus-induced endothelilitis. This leads to disruption of normal endothelial function, initiating a state of failing normal clotting physiology. Massively increased levels of von Willebrand Factor (VWF) lead to overwhelming platelet activation, as well as activation of the enzymatic (intrinsic) clotting pathway. In addition, there is an impaired fibrinolysis, caused by, amongst others, increased levels of alpha-(2) antiplasmin. The end result is hypercoagulation (proven by thromboelastography^® (TEG^®)) and reduced fibrinolysis, inevitably leading to a difficult-to-overcome hypercoagulated physiological state. Platelets in circulation also plays a significant role in clot formation, but they themselves may also drive hypercoagulation when they are overactivated due to the interactions of their receptors with the endothelium, immune cells or circulating inflammatory molecules. From the literature it is clear that the role of platelets in severely ill COVID-19 patients has been markedly underestimated or even ignored. We here highlight the value of early management of severe COVID-19 coagulopathy as guided by TEG^®, microclot and platelet mapping. We also argue that the failure of clinical trials, where the efficacy of prophylactic versus therapeutic clexane (low molecular weight heparin (LMWH)) were not always successful, which may be because the significant role of platelet activation was not taken into account during the planning of the trial. We conclude that, because of the overwhelming alteration of clotting, the outcome of any trial evaluating an any single anticoagulant, including thrombolytic, would be negative. Here we suggest the use of the degree of platelet dysfunction and presence of microclots in circulation, together with TEG^®, might be used as a guideline for disease severity. A multi-pronged approach, guided by TEG^® and platelet mapping, would be required to maintain normal clotting physiology in severe COVID-19 disease.

COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) infection and thrombotic conditions: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

COVID-19 is an infectious disease caused by SARS-CoV-2 associated with haematological manifestations (thrombolytic events).

AIMS

Considering the high prevalence of the thrombotic scenarios associated with COVID-19, the aim of this study was to perform a systematic review of the available literature, concerning the relation of COVID-19 and the thrombotic events, and identify prognostic factors for these events.

MATERIALS & METHODS

PubMed, Web of Science and Scopus databases were searched. Independent reviewers conducted all flow diagram steps. For qualitative analysis, Oxford level of evidence and Newcastle-Ottawa scale were used in the eligible articles. For the prognostic factors, a meta-analysis was conducted to age, number of neutrophils and platelets, and levels of ferritin, C-reactive protein, lactate dehydrogenase and D-dimer. Publication bias was accessed by funnel plot and by trim-and-fill test. Trim-and-fill test was also applied to evaluate meta-analysis bias.

RESULTS

Twenty articles were included in the qualitative analysis, and 6 articles were included in the meta-analysis. Case-control studies showed bias related to exposure, and the main bias in cohort studies were related to selection and outcome. All articles received score 4 for the level of evidence. Hypertension and diabetes were the comorbidities more frequently associated with thrombolytic events. Significant results were found regarding D-dimer (P < .0001) and age (P = .0202) for thrombotic events in patients diagnosed with COVID-19.

CONCLUSION

Patients older than 60 years, with hypertension, diabetes and D-Dimer values above 3.17 µg/mL, can be considered prognostic factors for developing thrombotic events due to COVID-19.

Use and misuse of biomarkers and the role of D-dimer and C-reactive protein in the management of COVID-19: A post-hoc analysis of a prospective cohort study

OBJECTIVE

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is associated with high mortality among hospitalized patients and incurs high costs. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection can trigger both inflammatory and thrombotic processes, and these complications can lead to a poorer prognosis. This study aimed to evaluate the association and temporal trends of D-dimer and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels with the incidence of venous thromboembolism (VTE), hospital mortality, and costs among inpatients with COVID-19.

METHODS

Data were extracted from electronic patient records and laboratory databases. Crude and adjusted associations for age, sex, number of comorbidities, Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score at admission, and D-dimer or CRP logistic regression models were used to evaluate associations.

RESULTS

Between March and June 2020, COVID-19 was documented in 3,254 inpatients. The D-dimer level ≥4,000 ng/mL fibrinogen equivalent unit (FEU) mortality odds ratio (OR) was 4.48 (adjusted OR: 1.97). The CRP level ≥220 mg/dL OR for death was 7.73 (adjusted OR: 3.93). The D-dimer level ≥4,000 ng/mL FEU VTE OR was 3.96 (adjusted OR: 3.26). The CRP level ≥220 mg/dL OR for VTE was 2.71 (adjusted OR: 1.92). All these analyses were statistically significant (p<0.001). Stratified hospital costs demonstrated a dose-response pattern. Adjusted D-dimer and CRP levels were associated with higher mortality and doubled hospital costs. In the first week, elevated D-dimer levels predicted VTE occurrence and systemic inflammatory harm, while CRP was a hospital mortality predictor.

CONCLUSION

D-dimer and CRP levels were associated with higher hospital mortality and a higher incidence of VTE. D-dimer was more strongly associated with VTE, although its discriminative ability was poor, while CRP was a stronger predictor of hospital mortality. Their use outside the usual indications should not be modified and should be discouraged.