Anticoagulant treatment is associated with decreased mortality in severe coronavirus disease 2019 patients with coagulopathy

Relation between Orotracheal Intubation, Inflammatory Markers, Breathing and Voice in Post-COVID-19

INTRODUCTION

COVID-19, an infectious disease with a wide spectrum of clinical manifestations and intensities in the human body, it can cause respiratory and vocal disorders, with fatigue.

OBJECTIVE

To verify the relation between biological Inflammatory markers D-dimers and C-Reactive Protein, Forced Vital Capacity, Maximum Phonation Time, vocal performance and fatigue, length of hospitalization period and gender of people affected by COVID-19 who were hospitalized, but did not use orotracheal intubation and compare with a group of post-COVID-19 patients with orotracheal intubation.

METHODS

Data on D-dimers and C-Reactive Protein, spirometry, Maximum Phonation Time, performance and vocal fatigue were collected. The study included 42 adult people affected by COVID-19 who were hospitalized, 22 (52.4%) female and 20 (47.6%) male; 23 (54.8%) critical cases composing the group with orotracheal intubation (average age 48.9 years old) and 19 (45.24%) severe cases in the group without orotracheal intubation (average age 49.9 years old).

RESULTS

hospital length of stay was significantly longer for the group with orotracheal intubation; D-dimers were significantly altered in all groups; correlations between maximum phonation times were positive and significant; correlations between maximum phonation times, vocal performance and fatigue were both negative and significant.

CONCLUSION

Patients with orotracheal intubation had longer hospital internment and increased D-dimers and were amazed that, whenever maximum phonation times decreased performance and vocal fatigue increased.

Characteristic of Acute Ischemic Stroke Patients Based on TOAST Classification During COVID-19 Pandemic Era: A Single Centre Study

Introduction

The categorization system used in the Trial Org 10172 classification in Acute Stroke Treatment (TOAST) provided more insight into the causal process. The aims of this study were to characterize individuals with acute ischemic stroke using the TOAST criteria and to determine risk variables for patients with acute ischemic stroke during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was done on the medical records of acute ischemic stroke patients at Hasan Sadikin Hospital (RSHS) Bandung, Indonesia, who were hospitalized in the Neurology Department of Hasan Sadikin Hospital from January to December 2021. Eligible patients were divided into 2 groups, with and without COVID-19 infection.

Results

There were 136 participants with acute ischemic stroke. Thirty-one percent of strokes were caused by atherosclerosis in the large arteries (LAA), followed by small-vessel occlusion (SVO) (25%), cardioembolism (CE) (22.1%), an undetermined cause (21.3%), and an other etiology (1.5%). CE risk factor was atrial fibrillation (p < 0.001), while hypertension, diabetes, and smoking were significant for LAA (p < 0.05). However, in patients with COVID-19 who had an acute ischemic stroke, most of the subtypes were stroke of undetermined etiology (76%), and hypercoagulation was the main risk factor (p < 0.001).

Conclusion

Patients with and without COVID-19 show varied distributions of stroke subtypes according to the TOAST categorization. Hypercoagulation is a major risk factor for stroke of undetermined etiology in individuals with COVID-19 who suffer from acute ischemic stroke. Increased viral-mediated endothelial inflammation leading to aberrant coagulopathy may explain the correlation between COVID-19 and acute ischemic stroke.

Integrated Assessment of Heart, Lung and Lower Extremity Veins Using Hand-Held Ultrasound Device in COVID-19 Patients: Feasibility and Clinical Application

The emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic caused a significant shortage of medical personnel and the prioritization of life-saving procedures on internal medicine and cardiology wards. Thus, the cost- and time-effectiveness of each procedure proved vital. Implementing elements of imaging diagnostics into the physical examination of COVID-19 patients could prove beneficial to the treatment process, providing important clinical data at the moment of admission. Sixty-three patients with positive COVID-19 test results were enrolled into our study and underwent physical examination expanded with a handheld ultrasound device (HUD)-performed bedside assessment included: right ventricle measurement, visual and automated LVEF assessment, four-point compression ultrasound test (CUS) of lower extremities and lung ultrasound. Routine testing consisting of computed-tomography chest scanning, CT-pulmonary angiogram and full echocardiography performed on a high-end stationary device was completed in the following 24 h. Lung abnormalities characteristic for COVID-19 were detected in CT in 53 (84%) patients. The sensitivity and specificity of bedside HUD examination for detecting lung pathologies was 0.92 and 0.90, respectively. Increased number of B-lines had a sensitivity of 0.81, specificity 0.83 for the ground glass symptom in CT examination (AUC 0.82; p < 0.0001); pleural thickening sensitivity 0.95, specificity 0.88 (AUC 0.91, p < 0.0001); lung consolidations sensitivity 0.71, specificity 0.86 (AUC 0.79, p < 0.0001). In 20 patients (32%), pulmonary embolism was confirmed. RV was dilated in HUD examination in 27 patients (43%), CUS was positive in two patients. During HUD examination, software-derived LV function analysis failed to measure LVEF in 29 (46%) cases. HUD proved its potential as the first-line modality for the collection of heart-lung-vein imaging information among patients with severe COVID-19. HUD-derived diagnosis was especially effective for the initial assessment of lung involvement. Expectedly, in this group of patients with high prevalence of severe pneumonia, HUD-diagnosed RV enlargement had moderate predictive value and the option to simultaneously detect lower limb venous thrombosis was clinically attractive. Although most of the LV images were suitable for the visual assessment of LVEF, an AI-enhanced software algorithm failed in almost 50% of the study population.

Plasma N-Cleaved Galectin-9 Is a Surrogate Marker for Determining the Severity of COVID-19 and Monitoring the Therapeutic Effects of Tocilizumab

Galectin-9 (Gal-9) is known to contribute to antiviral responses in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Increased circulating Gal-9 in COVID-19 is associated with COVID-19 severity. In a while, the linker-peptide of Gal-9 is susceptible to proteolysis that can cause the change or loss of Gal-9 activity. Here, we measured plasma levels of N-cleaved-Gal9, which is Gal9 carbohydrate-recognition domain at the N-terminus (NCRD) with attached truncated linker peptide that differs in length depending on the type of proteases, in COVID-19. We also investigated the time course of plasma N-cleaved-Gal9 levels in severe COVID-19 treated with tocilizumab (TCZ). As a result, we observed an increase in plasma N-cleaved-Gal9 levels in COVID-19 and its higher levels in COVID-19 with pneumonia compared to the mild cases (healthy: 326.1 pg/mL, mild: 698.0 pg/mL, and with pneumonia: 1570 pg/mL). N-cleaved-Gal9 levels were associated with lymphocyte counts, C-reactive protein (CRP), soluble interleukin-2 receptor (sIL-2R), D-dimer, and ferritin levels, and ratio of percutaneous oxygen saturation to fraction of inspiratory oxygen (S/F ratio) in COVID-19 with pneumonia and discriminated different severity groups with high accuracy (area under the curve (AUC): 0.9076). Both N-cleaved-Gal9 and sIL-2R levels were associated with plasma matrix metalloprotease (MMP)-9 levels in COVID-19 with pneumonia. Furthermore, a decrease in N-cleaved-Gal9 levels was associated with a decrease of sIL-2R levels during TCZ treatment. N-cleaved-Gal9 levels showed a moderate accuracy (AUC: 0.8438) for discriminating the period before TCZ from the recovery phase. These data illustrate that plasma N-cleaved-Gal9 is a potential surrogate marker for assessing COVID-19 severity and the therapeutic effects of TCZ.

Relationship between severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 and diabetes mellitus (review)

Infections caused by SARE-CoV-2 are complicated with the concurrent pathologies, to name hypertension, diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular diseases. High level of glucose in blood weakens the immunity and increase the SARS-CoV-2 replication. Diabetes mellitus aggravates the COVID-19 outcome. The intrusion of SARS-CoV-2 into a host-cell occurs by means of its association with the angiotensin-converting enzyme-2 (ACE 2). Stimulating immune responses the COVID-19 infection causes the cytokine storm, and may result in the lethal outcome in the diabetics.

Recent laboratory studies demonstrated that the type1 and type2 diabetes mellitus is the main consequence in 14% of the patients after corona infection. Thus, in 2% of 14% diabetes started progressing due to the corona virus. In the other, diabetes debut occurred as the direct and negative consequence of the disease. Hyperglycemia results in the formation of protein molecules known as the advanced glycation end products (AGEs). The AGEs and their receptors (RAGE) are of high significance in the host-cell’s virus invasion. Consequently, more strict glucose control is necessary for optimal outcome and reduction in mortality. The better control for the COVID-19 course can be provided by the targeted effect on the RAGE axis. The review helps elucidate the molecular mechanism underlying the exacerbation of pathophysiology in the diabetic COVID-19 patients.

[Sustainable anticoagulation in COVID-19: Review of severity prediction and clinical reasoning]

OBJECTIVE

To identify the procoagulant phenomenon in SARS-CoV-2 patients and propose sustainable therapeutic guidance for low-income countries.

METHODS

A systematic review was conducted. It identified 5 observational studies from a scrutiny from 78 results. 712 patients were examined and the results were grouped according to mortality and severity. The comparison of the groups was interpreted using descriptive statistics.

RESULTS

D-dimer values were significantly associated with greater severity and mortality. Prothrombin was associated in some observations with higher mortality, but in terms of severity it was inconclusive.

CONCLUSION

COVID-19 disease has significant procoagulant activity and its timely treatment can alter the prognosis. The explored evidence supports sustainable methods. More evidence is needed to improve management. An early systematic approach to patients with sustainable therapeutic measures tailored to the health system is recommended.

Neurological infection and complications of SARS-CoV-2: A review

The primary target of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 is the respiratory system including the nose and lungs, however, it can also damage the kidneys, cardiovascular system and gastrointestinal system. Many recent reports suggested that severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infections can also affect the central nervous system as well as peripheral nervous system that lead to the several neurological complications. The virus can break the blood brain barrier and enters the brain via haematological route or directly by the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 receptors present on endothelial cells of many cerebral tissues. The neurological complications are manifested by headache, dizziness, encephalopathy, encephalitis, cerebrovascular disease, anosmia, hypogeusia, muscle damage, etc. This review article described the possible routes and mechanism of nervous system infection and the range of neurological complications of COVID-19 that may help the medical practitioners and researchers to improve the clinical treatment and reduce the mortality rate among patients with viral diseases.

The effects of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) on ischemic stroke and the possible underlying mechanisms

Purpose: As of November 28, 2020, COVID-19 has been reported in 220 countries with 61,036,793 confirmed cases and 1,433,316 confirmed deaths; countries became vigilant around the world. In addition to SARS-CoV-2 causing pneumonia, many studies have reported ischemic stroke in patients with COVID-19. This article describes the effects and possible underlying mechanisms of SARS-CoV-2 on ischemic stroke.Materials and methods: A literature search was performed using PubMed, Web of Science, and other COVID-dedicated databases and the combination of the keywords 'SARS-CoV-2', 'COVID-19' and 'ischemic stroke' up to November 28, 2020.Results: SARS-CoV-2 invades the host through angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). ACE2 is expressed not only in the lungs, but also in the brain and vascular endothelial cells. SARS-CoV-2 infection might cause direct vascular disease or enhance the immunogenic thrombosis environment through several mechanisms. SARS-CoV-2 infection can modulate the host immune response and can cause inflammation, coagulation disorders, renin angiotensin system disorders, hypoxia, and stress disorders, which may lead to the occurrence of ischemic stroke.Conclusions: Some patients with COVID-19 can develop ischemic stroke. Ischemic stroke has a high risk of causing disability and is associated with a high mortality rate. It is hoped that when medical staff treat patients with COVID-19, they would pay attention to the occurrence of ischemic stroke to improve the prognosis of patients with COVID-19.

The impact of polypharmacy on 30-day COVID-related mortality in nursing home residents: a multicenter retrospective cohort study

PURPOSE

Both the coronavirus (COVID-19) disease and polypharmacy pose a serious threat to nursing home (NH) residents. This study aimed to assess the impact of polypharmacy on 30-day COVID-related mortality in NH residents with COVID-19.

METHODS

Multicenter retrospective cohort study including NH residents from 15 NHs in the Netherlands. The impact of polypharmacy on 30-day COVID-related mortality was evaluated and assessed using multivariable logistic regression analyses with correction for age, sex, CCI, BMI and vaccination status.

RESULTS

In total, 348 NH residents were included, with a mean age of 84 years (SD = 8); 65% were female, 70% lived in a psychogeriatric ward, with a main diagnosis of dementia. 30-day COVID-related mortality was 27.3%. We found a significant, positive association between the total number of medications and 30-day COVID-related mortality (OR 1.09; 95% CI 1.001-1.20, p = 0.046), after adjustment for age, sex, Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI), Body Mass Index (BMI) and vaccination status. After additional correction for dementia (model 2) and use of PPI, vitamin D, antipsychotics and antithrombotics (model 3), this effect remained positive, but was no longer significant.

CONCLUSION

Nursing home residents with a higher number of medications and who were not vaccinated, had a higher 30-day COVID-related mortality. These findings have important implications for the management of COVID-19 in the frail NH population. As such they underline the importance of deprescribing on the one hand, but also of improving vaccination rates on the other.

Recovery of systemic hyperinflammation in patients with severe SARS-CoV-2 infection

INTRODUCTION

Patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD) and acute SARS-CoV-2 infection might show an altered immune response during COVID-19.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Twenty-three patients with CVD and SARS-CoV-2 infection were prospectively enrolled and received a cardiological assessment at study entry and during follow-up visit. Inclusion criteria of our study were age older than 18 years, presence of CVD, and acute SARS-CoV-2 infection. The median age of the patient cohort was 69 (IQR 55-79) years. 12 (52.2%) patients were men. Peripheral monocytes and chemokine/cytokine profiles were analysed.

RESULTS

Numbers of classical and non-classical monocytes were significantly decreased during acute SARS-CoV-2 infection compared to 3-month recovery. While classical monocytes reached the expected level in peripheral blood after 3 months, the number of non-classical monocytes remained significantly reduced.

DISCUSSION

All three monocyte subsets exhibited changes of established adhesion and activation markers. Interestingly, they also expressed higher levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines like macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) at the time of recovery, although MIF was only slightly increased during the acute phase.

CONCLUSION

Changes of monocyte phenotypes and increased MIF expression after 3-month recovery from acute SARS-CoV-2 infection may indicate persistent, possibly long-lasting, pro-inflammatory monocyte function in CVD patients.

Knowledge Gaps for Prophylactic Use of Antithrombotic Agents in Patients with COVID-19: Insights into New SARS-CoV-2 Variants, Vaccination Status, and Emerging Oral Antivirals

Data suggest that coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) results in a prothrombotic state leading to arterial and venous thromboses. Vaccination, novel antiviral drugs, and emerging variants have changed the course of the disease in many ways; however, their effects on the incidence of thrombotic events and the efficacy of preventative antithrombotic agents have not been yet evaluated. A systematic search was conducted to identify studies reported on the incidence of thrombotic events based on vaccination status, use of novel antiviral drugs, and emerging viral variants. Similarly, we screened the ongoing/published randomized trials of preventative antithrombotic therapy in any COVID-19 population to assess whether subgroup-specific results were reported based on any of these variants. Upon searching a total of 3,451 records, only one entry fulfilled the inclusion criteria of our systematic review, which was a self-controlled case series on 29,121,633 vaccinated individuals, the incidence rate ratio of thrombotic complication after breakthrough infection was 13.86 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 12.76-15.05) compared with 1.10 (95% CI: 1.02-1.18) during the 28-day postvaccination. In conclusion, although the mortality benefit of mass vaccination and the early promising results of the new antiviral therapies are well known, we were unable to find clinical evidence on whether vaccination, the use of novel antiviral agents, and emerging viral variants have affected the incidence rate of thrombotic events or impacted the efficacy of prophylactic antithrombotic therapy in patients with COVID-19. Analyses from existing trials and large-scale registries can provide interim knowledge and any findings of relevance should be incorporated in the design of future trials.

COVID-19's immuno-pathology and cardiovascular diseases

The pandemic of COVID-19 in worldwide causes recent millions of morbidity and mortality in all countries and is the most important challenge in the world in recent years. Coronavirus is a single-stranded RNA virus and infection with COVID-19 leads to acute respiratory distress syndrome, lung inflammation, cytokine storm, and death. The other complications include endothelial dysfunction, activation of coagulation, thromboembolic events, and vascular disease. Cardiovascular complications such as myocardial and stroke ischemia, pulmonary thromboembolism, systemic arterial, and deep vein thrombosis were reported. In this review, we presented immuno-pathological mechanisms and the effects of COVID-19 on the cardiovascular system, heart, vessels, coagulation system, and molecular glance of immuno-inflammation to the COVID-19's pathology on the cardiovascular system.

Clinical characteristics and courses of 200 patients hospitalized for COVID-19 during the second and third waves at Fujita Health University Okazaki Medical Center in Japan

Objectives

There are few reports about patients hospitalized for COVID-19 in Japan. We investigated 200 patients hospitalized for COVID-19 over a 6-month period with the aim of elucidating their clinical characteristics and clinical courses.

Methods

The study cohort comprised 200 patients hospitalized for COVID-19 during a 6-month period. We examined baseline characteristics, source of transmission, preadmission course, initial symptoms, concomitant symptoms, comorbidities, treatments, and prognosis.

Results

The number of inpatients from outside our region increased from 9 in the second wave to 53 in the third wave. The initial manifestations were cold-like and gastroenteritis-like symptoms, gustatory and olfactory dysfunction being frequently occurring concomitant symptoms. On admission 32 patients had mild disease, 108 moderate I, 54 moderate II, and 6 severe. We divided the 200 patients into second and third wave groups and compared their baseline characteristics. The third wave group was older and had more severe disease. The main treatments implemented were dexamethasone and remdesivir. Three patients (1.5%) required ventilation and 12 (6.0%) died in hospital.

Conclusions

We investigated 200 patients hospitalized for COVID-19 over a period of 6 months. The patients in the second wave were relatively young and most had mild disease. In contrast, the patients in the third wave were older and had more severe disease and higher in-hospital mortality.

Chronic anti-coagulation therapy reduced mortality in patients with high cardiovascular risk early in COVID-19 pandemic

BACKGROUND

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is associated with provoked thrombo-inflammatory responses. Early in the COVID-19 pandemic this was thought to contribute to hypercoagulability and multi-organ system complications in infected patients. Limited studies have evaluated the impact of therapeutic anti-coagulation therapy (AC) in alleviating these risks in COVID-19 positive patients. Our study aimed to investigate whether long-term therapeutic AC can decrease the risk of multi-organ system complications (MOSC) including stroke, limb ischemia, gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding, in-hospital and intensive care unit death in COVID-19 positive patients hospitalized during the early phase of the pandemic in the United States.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis was conducted of all COVID-19 positive United States Veterans between March 2020 and October 2020. Patients receiving continuous outpatient therapeutic AC for a least 90 days prior to their initial COVID-19 positive test were assigned to the AC group. Patients who did not receive AC were included in a control group. We analyzed the primary study outcome of MOSC between the AC and control groups using binary logistic regression analysis (Odd-Ratio; OR).

RESULTS

We identified 48,066 COVID-19 patients, of them 879 (1.8%) were receiving continuous therapeutic AC. The AC cohort had significantly worse comorbidities than the control group. On the adjusted binary logistic regression model, therapeutic AC significantly decreased in-hospital mortality rate (OR; 0.67, p = 0.04), despite a higher incidence of GI bleeding (OR; 4.00, p = 0.02). However, therapeutic AC did not significantly reduce other adverse events.

CONCLUSION

AC therapy reduced in-hospital death early in the COVID-19 pandemic among patients who were hospitalized with the infection. However, it did not decrease the risk of MOSC. Additional trials are needed to determine the effectiveness of AC in preventing complications associated with ongoing emerging strains of the COVID-19 virus.

A randomized controlled trial to evaluate outcomes with Aggrenox in patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection

BACKGROUND

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an immunoinflammatory and hypercoagulable state that contributes to respiratory distress, multi-organ dysfunction, and mortality. Dipyridamole, by increasing extracellular adenosine, has been postulated to be protective for COVID-19 patients through its immunosuppressive, anti-inflammatory, anti-coagulant, vasodilatory, and anti-viral actions. Likewise, low-dose aspirin has also demonstrated protective effects for COVID-19 patients. This study evaluated the effect of these two drugs formulated together as Aggrenox in hospitalized COVID-19 patients.

METHODS

In an open-label, single site randomized controlled trial (RCT), hospitalized COVID-19 patients were assigned to adjunctive Aggrenox (Dipyridamole ER 200mg/ Aspirin 25mg orally/enterally) with standard of care treatment compared to standard of care treatment alone. Primary endpoint was illness severity according to changes on the eight-point COVID ordinal scale, with levels of 1 to 8 where higher scores represent worse illness. Secondary endpoints included all-cause mortality and respiratory failure. Outcomes were measured through days 14, 28, and/or hospital discharge.

RESULTS

From October 1, 2020 to April 30, 2021, a total of 98 patients, who had a median [IQR] age of 57 [47, 62] years and were 53.1% (n = 52) female, were randomized equally between study groups (n = 49 Aggrenox plus standard of care versus n = 49 standard of care alone). No clinically significant differences were found between those who received adjunctive Aggrenox and the control group in terms of illness severity (COVID ordinal scale) at days 14 and 28. The overall mortality through day 28 was 6.1% (3 patients, n = 49) in the Aggrenox group and 10.2% (5 patients, n = 49) in the control group (OR [95% CI]: 0.40 [0.04, 4.01], p = 0.44). Respiratory failure through day 28 occurred in 4 (8.3%, n = 48) patients in the Aggrenox group and 7 (14.6%, n = 48) patients in the standard of care group (OR [95% CI]: 0.21 [0.02, 2.56], p = 0.22). A larger decrease in the platelet count and blood glucose levels, and larger increase in creatinine and sodium levels within the first 7 days of hospital admission were each independent predictors of 28-day mortality (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

In this study of hospitalized patients with COVID-19, while the outcomes of COVID illness severity, odds of mortality, and chance of respiratory failure were better in the Aggrenox group compared to standard of care alone, the data did not reach statistical significance to support the standard use of adjuvant Aggrenox in such patients.

Enoxaparin Posology According to Prothrombotic Status and Bleeding Risk in Hospitalized Patients with SARS-CoV-2 Pneumonia

Some patients with COVID-19 have complex hypercoagulable abnormalities that are related to mortality. The optimal dosage of low molecular weight heparin in hospitalized patients with SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia is still not clear. Our objective is to evaluate the effects of adapting the dosage of low molecular weight heparin to thrombotic and bleeding risk scales in this setting. We performed a cohort, retrospective, observational, and analytical study at the Hospital Universitario of Jerez de la Frontera, with patients admitted with SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia from 1 October 2020 to 31 January 2021. They were classified according to whether they received prophylactic, intermediate, or therapeutic doses of enoxaparin. The primary endpoint was intrahospital mortality. Secondary endpoints were the need for invasive ventilation, thromboembolic events, bleeding, and the usefulness of thrombotic and bleeding scales. After binary logistic regression analysis, considering confounding variables, it was found that the use of enoxaparin at therapeutic doses was associated with lower mortality during admission compared to prophylactic and intermediate doses (RR 0.173; 95% CI, 0.038-0.8; p = 0.025). IMPROVE bleeding risk score correlated with a higher risk of minor bleeding (RR 1.263; 95% CI, 1.105-1.573; p = 0.037). In adult hospitalized patients with SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia presenting elevated D-dimer and severe proinflammatory state, therapeutic doses of enoxaparin can be considered, especially if bleeding risk is low according to the IMPROVE bleeding risk score.

Thromboprophylaxis in Pregnant Women with COVID-19: An Unsolved Issue

SARS-CoV-2 infection in pregnant women is of growing interest due to controversy over the use of antiplatelet and/or anticoagulant drugs during pregnancy and postpartum. Pregnant women are susceptible to develop severe forms of viral infections due to pregnancy-related immune alterations, changes in lung functions, and hypercoagulability. The association of pregnancy with SARS-CoV-2 infection can cause an increased incidence of thrombotic complications, especially in the case of patients with some genetic variants that favor inflammation and thrombosis. Compared to the general population, pregnant women may be at increased risk of thrombotic complications related to COVID-19. The lack of extensive clinical trials on thromboprophylaxis and extrapolating data from non-pregnant patients lead to major discrepancies in treating pregnant women with COVID-19. Currently, a multidisciplinary team should determine the dose and duration of prophylactic anticoagulant therapy for these patients, depending on the disease severity, the course of pregnancy, and the estimated due date. This narrative review aims to evaluate the protective effect of thromboprophylaxis in pregnant women with COVID-19. It is unknown at this time whether antiplatelet or anticoagulant therapy initiated at the beginning of pregnancy for various diseases (preeclampsia, intrauterine growth restriction, thrombophilia) offers a degree of protection. The optimal scheme for thromboprophylaxis in pregnant women with COVID-19 must be carefully established through an individualized decision concerning gestational age and the severity of the infection.

Venous Thromboembolism in COVID-19 Patients: A Single-Center Case Series

: Since thrombosis occurrence among coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients is a critical complication, this study aimed to describe the clinical characteristics and outcomes of COVID-19-associated pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE). This case series of 39 venous thromboembolism (VTE) patients represents clinical characteristics, laboratory data, imaging data, and outcomes. The mean age of the patients was 55 ± 15 years. Moreover, 25 patients (64.10%) were male. The most frequent COVID-19 clinical presentations were dyspnea and cough in 22 (56.41%) and 19 (48.71%) patients, respectively. Additionally, the most frequent PTE clinical presentations were palpitation and anxiety in 28 (71.79%) and dyspnea in 24 (61.53%) patients. Additionally, eight patients (20.51%) showed deep vein thrombosis in color Doppler ultrasound. The mean measures of D-dimer, erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein were 3680 ng/mL, 53 mm/hour, and 44 mg/L, respectively. Supplemental oxygen and a ventilator were required in 29 (74.35%) and 2 (5.12%) patients, respectively. One patient died from PTE complications, and others improved without any complications. The VTE is a potentially life-threatening complication that frequently occurs in patients with COVID-19. Therapeutic doses of anticoagulants, extended thromboprophylaxis, meticulous assessments, follow-up, and high clinical suspicion to the early detection of PTE are necessary in this regard.

Management Strategies in Septic Coagulopathy: A Review of the Current Literature

One of the 'organs' that can be affected by sepsis is the coagulation system. Coagulopathy in sepsis may take the form of sepsis-induced coagulopathy (SIC) or sepsis-associated disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). It is important to identify SIC early, as at this stage of coagulopathy anticoagulants may be of the greatest benefit. The most recent diagnostic scoring systems for septic coagulopathy come from the International Society on Thrombosis and Hemostasis and the Japanese Association for Acute Medicine. Recommendations regarding the management of septic coagulopathy differ between organizations. Moreover, septic coagulopathy is an area of intense research in recent years. Therefore we searched three databases to review the most recent management strategies in septic coagulopathy. The mainstream management strategies in septic coagulopathy include the causal treatment of sepsis, unfractionated heparin, low-molecular-weight heparin, antithrombin, and recombinant human thrombomodulin. The last two have been associated with the highest survival benefit. Nevertheless, the indiscriminate use of these anticoagulants should be avoided due to the lack of mortality benefit and increased risk of bleeding. The early diagnosis of SIC and monitoring of coagulation status during sepsis is crucial for the timely management and selection of the most suitable treatment at a time. New directions in septic coagulopathy include new diagnostic biomarkers, dynamic diagnostic models, genetic markers for SIC management, and new therapeutic agents. These new research avenues may potentially result in timelier SIC diagnosis and improved management of all stages of septic coagulopathy by making it more effective, safe, and personalized.

COVID-19: Has the Liver Been Spared?

The liver is a secondary and often collateral target of COVID-19 disease but can lead to important consequences. COVID-19 might directly cause a high number of complications in patients with pre-existing chronic liver disease, increasing their risk of hepatic decompensation. Moreover, it also determines indirect consequences in the management of patients with liver disease, especially in those suffering from decompensated cirrhosis and HCC, as well as in the execution of their follow-up and the availability of all therapeutic possibilities. Liver imaging in COVID-19 patients proved to be highly nonspecific, but it can still be useful for identifying the complications that derive from the infection. Moreover, the recent implementation of telemedicine constitutes a possible solution to both the physical distancing and the re-organizational difficulties arising from the pandemic. The present review aims to encompass the currently hypothesized pathophysiological mechanisms of liver injury in patients with COVID-19 mediated by both the direct invasion of the virus and its indirect effects and analyze the consequence of the pandemic in patients with chronic liver disease and liver tumors, with particular regard to the management strategies that have been implemented to face this worldwide emergency and that can be further improved.

COVID-19: A Comprehensive Review on Cardiovascular Alterations, Immunity, and Therapeutics in Older Adults

Here, we present a review focusing on three relevant issues related to COVID-19 and its impact in older adults (60 years and older). SARS-CoV-2 infection starts in the respiratory system, but the development of systemic diseases accompanied by severe clinical manifestations has also been reported, with cardiovascular and immune system dysfunction being the major ones. Additionally, the presence of comorbidities and aging represent major risk factors for the severity and poor prognosis of the disease. Since aging-associated decline has been largely related to immune and cardiovascular alterations, we sought to investigate the consequences and the underlying mechanisms of these pathologies to understand the severity of the illness in this population. Understanding the effects of COVID-19 on both systems should translate into comprehensive and improved medical care for elderly COVID-19 patients, preventing cardiovascular as well as immunological alterations in this population. Approved therapies that contribute to the improvement of symptoms and a reduction in mortality, as well as new therapies in development, constitute an approach to managing these disorders. Among them, we describe antivirals, cytokine antagonists, cytokine signaling pathway inhibitors, and vaccines.

THE ROLE OF THROMBOSIS RISK SCALES LIKE PROGRESSION PREDICTORS OF COVID-19-ASSOCIATED PNEUMONIA

OBJECTIVE

The aim: To determine the risk factors for progression by establishing the diagnostic and prognostic role of PPS and ISTH DIC score in patients with COVID-19 required hospitalization.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Materials and methods: Main group was 130 patients with COVID-19, divided depending on the severity into 3 subgroups. Patients were examined twice. On visit 1 and visit 2 (after 7-14 days after hospitalization). Were provided: physical examination, lung ultrasound (LUS), laboratory tests (D-dimer, coagulogram). Were counted PPS and ISTH DIC score. Non-parametrical statistic, ROC analysis.

RESULTS

Results: The level of D-dimer was significantly elevated in the examined patients and correlated with the severity of the disease. The number of points on the scales ISTH DIC and Padua had a significant difference between the subgroups. The maximum number of points was obtained by patients of subgroup 3, which indicates the maximum risk of thrombotic complications, as well as DIC. The ROC analysis showed that among coagulation parameters the most sensitive and specific factors associated with the progression of the clinical course is the D-dimer at admission.

CONCLUSION

Conclusions: Thus, the determination of D-dimer, fibrinogen, as well as usage of the DIC and Padua scales is a useful tool not only to estimate the severity of COVID-19, but also to predict the prognosis. Thus, the level of D-dimer above 260 ng/ml, as well as the presence of three or more points on the DIC scale and/or five or more points on the Padua scale in patients with COVID-19 during hospitalization significantly increases the risk of progression clinical process.

The diverse role of heparan sulfate and other GAGs in SARS-CoV-2 infections and therapeutics

In December 2019, the global coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic began in Wuhan, China. COVID-19 is caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which infects host cells primarily through the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor. In addition to ACE2, several studies have shown the importance of heparan sulfate (HS) on the host cell surface as a co-receptor for SARS-CoV-2-binding. This insight has driven research into antiviral therapies, aimed at inhibiting the HS co-receptor-binding, e.g., by glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), a family of sulfated polysaccharides that includes HS. Several GAGs, such as heparin (a highly sulfated analog of HS), are used to treat various health indications, including COVID-19. This review is focused on current research on the involvement of HS in SARS-CoV-2 infection, implications of viral mutations, as well as the use of GAGs and other sulfated polysaccharides as antiviral agents.

Enzymatic Sequencing of Heparin Oligosaccharides Using Exolyase

Heparin/heparan sulfate (HP/HS) is a class of acidic polysaccharides with many potential medical applications, especially HP, and its derivatives, low molecular weight heparins (LMWHs), have been widely used as anticoagulants to treat thrombosis for decades. However, the complex structure endows HP/HS a variety of biological functions and hinders the structural and functional studies of HP/HS. Heparinases derived from bacteria are useful tools for the structural studies of HP/HS as well as the preparation of LMWHs. The enzymatic method for the structural analysis of HP/HS chains is easy to operate, requires less samples, and is low cost. Here, we describe an enzymatic approach to investigate the primary sequences of the HP/HS oligosaccharides using a recently discovered exotype heparinase.

Communication from the Scientific and Standardization Committee of the International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis on sepsis-induced coagulopathy in the management of sepsis

Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) is a life-threatening complication in sepsis and other critical conditions. The International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis (ISTH) released the diagnostic criteria for overt DIC in 2001. Since then, ISTH overt DIC has been used as the global standard criterion for a decompensated stage of DIC. Because detecting an earlier stage of DIC would be useful for therapeutic considerations, the scientific standardization committees of the ISTH introduced the sepsis-induced coagulopathy (SIC) scoring system in 2019. The SIC scoring system is specifically designed to detect the compensated phase of DIC in sepsis, which can lead to overt DIC with disease progression. Studies examining the performance of the SIC scoring system have reported its usefulness over the past 5 years. The reported incidence of SIC was approximately 60% in patients with sepsis, which was twice as much as that of overt DIC. Almost all patients with overt DIC were diagnosed with SIC earlier. The reported mortality of SIC was ≥30% and, thus, can be used for patient selection for anticoagulant therapy. Despite the limited data, some continue to suggest the potential efficacy of anticoagulant therapy in patients with SIC. Although heparin, antithrombin, and thrombomodulin are the candidates for anticoagulation, none of them have proven to be effective with robust evidence, and future trials are warranted.

Anticoagulation strategies and risk of bleeding events in critically ill COVID-19 patients

Objective

To evaluate the rate of thrombosis, bleeding and mortality comparing anticoagulant doses in critically ill COVID-19 patients.

Design

Retrospective observational and analytical cohort study.

Setting

COVID-19 patients admitted to the intensive care unit of a tertiary hospital between March and April 2020.

Patients

201 critically ill COVID-19 patients were included. Patients were categorized into three groups according to the highest anticoagulant dose received during hospitalization: prophylactic, intermediate and therapeutic.

Interventions

The incidence of venous thromboembolism (VTE), bleeding and mortality was compared between groups. We performed two logistic multivariable regressions to test the association between VTE and bleeding and the anticoagulant regimen.

Main variables of interest

VTE, bleeding and mortality.

Results

78 patients received prophylactic, 94 intermediate and 29 therapeutic doses. No differences in VTE and mortality were found, while bleeding events were more frequent in the therapeutic (31%) and intermediate (15%) dose group than in the prophylactic group (5%) (p < 0.001 and p < 0.05 respectively). The anticoagulant dose was the strongest determinant for bleeding (odds ratio 2.4, 95% confidence interval 1.26-4.58, p = 0.008) but had no impact on VTE.

Conclusions

Intermediate and therapeutic doses appear to have a higher risk of bleeding without a decrease of VTE events and mortality in critically ill COVID-19 patients.

Thromboprophylaxis Outcome in Childhood SARS-CoV-2 Infection: A Single-Center Experience

BACKGROUND

The SARS-CoV-2 infection has been associated with potentially endothelial damage and coagulation cascade activation that cause thrombosis. There is limited information on thrombosis and anticoagulant therapy in children with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

AIMS

This study evaluates the outcome of thromboprophylaxis in children younger than 18-year old with COVID-19 infection.

METHODS

A retrospective study was conducted on 184 hospitalized pediatric patients with confirmed COVID-19 infection. A designed questionnaire was made to collect all demographic, clinical, and laboratory data. According to World Health Organization, the patients were classified as asymptomatic/mild, moderate, severe, and critically ill.

RESULTS

The mean age of the patients was 7.04±5.9 (1 wk to younger than 18 y). Overall, 33 patients received anticoagulant therapy. All patients who passed away (n=19) belonged to the critical group. One patient (1.28%) was complicated with deep vein thrombosis despite taking thromboprophylaxis, and 1 (1.28%) with pulmonary thromboembolism while the patient did not take an anticoagulant.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data showed a lower rate of thrombosis (1.4%) than adult patients with COVID-19. It may underline the role of anticoagulants in moderate to severe/critically ill children with COVID-19 infection. Expert opinion and personal experience are necessary, while we have a significant knowledge gap in understanding COVID-19-associated coagulopathy and thrombotic risk in children.

Cardiovascular markers and COVID-19

COVID-19 is an emerging viral disease with incompletely elucidated pathogenesis, a heterogeneous clinical profile, and significant interindividual variability. The major cardiovascular complications of COVID-19 include acute cardiac injury, acute myocardial infarction (AMI), myocarditis, arrhythmia, heart failure, and venous thromboembolism (VTE)/pulmonary embolism (PE). Elevated BNP /NT-proBNP, troponin and d-dimer levels has been found in a significant proportion of patients since the first data analysis, suggesting that myocardial damage is a likely pathogenic mechanism contributing to severe disease and mortality. The level of these markers is now associated with a risk of adverse outcome, namely mortality. The aim of our study is to highlight the importance of these biomarkers for the prediction of cardiovascular complications and their potential role in the evolution of COVID-19.

Monotherapy versus polytherapy of enoxaparin and hydroxychloroquine for the treatment of COVID-19: A randomized controlled clinical trial

OBJECTIVES

The current study aims to assess the efficacy and safety of Enoxaparin and hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) used as monothrapy or polytherapy versus standard care alone in Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) infected patients.

METHODS

The current study included two hundred patients with laboratory confirmed COVID-19 infection. Patients admitted to hospital were randomly allocated into four groups: group I: received standard COVID-19 therapy, group II: received Enoxaparin 40mg/day subcutaneously (SC) plus standard therapy, group III: received 400 mg/day HCQ plus standard therapy & group IV: received a combination of 400 mg/day HCQ and Enoxaparin plus standard COVID-19 therapy. The disease progression was evaluated by duration to a negative polymerase chain reaction (PCR), length of hospital or Intensive Care Unit (ICU) stay, and mortality rate. The safety of treatments was evaluated by measuring adverse effects.

RESULTS

The length of hospital stay, ICU admission and mortality were significantly decreased in Enoxaparin plus standard COVID-19 therapy group versus other groups.

CONCLUSION

These findings suggest that Enoxaparin was safe, effective, and well tolerated and has a role in decreasing the progression of the disease and its complications while HCQ did not discover any evidence of extra therapeutic benefits.

Laboratory Characteristics on SARS-CoV-2 Infection among Patients with Diabetes Mellitus: A Single-Center Retrospective Study

BACKGROUND

Diabetic patients have been severely affected by COVID-19 infection. It has been reported that the disease is more progressive leading to venous and arterial thromboembolism, due to multiple factors. This study was conducted to determine the hematologic parameters including D-dimer in diabetic patients with COVID-19 infection in association with disease severity and treatment.

METHOD

This retrospective cohort study was conducted at King Fahad Medical City, Saudi Arabia, after obtaining IRB approval, by collecting data regarding all laboratory parameters, disease severity, and anticoagulant treatment of COVID-19 diabetic patients (n = 159) from medical records from March to December 2020.

RESULT

Mean value of white blood cells, neutrophils, monocytes, eosinophils, lymphocyte monocyte ratio, C-reactive protein, serum ferritin, and LDH levels was elevated in severe cases than in mild cases with statistical significant increase in HbA1c (0.047), serum fibrinogen (0.007), C-reactive protein (0.005), serum ferritin (0.034), and serum LDH (0.015). Mortality was observed in 14 (8.8%) patients mostly with severe COVID-19 with diabetes. In our study, treatment with low molecular weight heparin was not significantly related to severity. A logistic regression analysis indicated an association of some laboratory parameters with severity and mortality of the disease.

CONCLUSION

The routine blood parameters if detected early will enable physicians to identify severe cases of COVID-19 patients with Diabetes for prompt treatment and save considerable time and resources.

Low molecular weight heparin in COVID-19: benefits and concerns

Since its emergence, the COVID-19 pandemic had a dramatic impact on the public health worldwide and it scarred the medical, economical, and social determinants of health. Even after the significant vaccination advances, the disease of SARS-CoV-2 can manifest in severe presentations with life-threatening thromboembolic and multi-organ complications leading to notable morbidity and mortality. Clinicians and researchers are on continuous pursuit of investigating different approaches in the attempt to prevent the infection and minimize its severity. Although the COVID-19's pathophysiology remains relatively unclear, it is well established now that coagulopathy, systemic thrombotic propensity, and a robust immunoinflammatory response are some of the most important determinants of its morbidity and mortality. Accordingly, research efforts have focused on addressing the inflammatory and hematological cascades using available agents to avoid thromboembolic events. Several studies and investigators have emphasized the importance of Low molecular weight heparin (LMWH), namely, Lovenox, in addressing these sequelae of the COVID-19 disease, either prophylactically or therapeutically. This review explores the benefits and concerns of employing LMWH, a widely used anticoagulant, in COVID-19 disease. It delves into Enoxaparin as a molecule, along with its pharmacology, mechanism of action, and clinical uses. It also reviews the current high-quality clinical evidence that highlight the role of enoxaparin in SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Acute Cerebral Infarct and Saddle Pulmonary Embolism in a Post-COVID-19 Patient Treated With Thrombolytics

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been associated with a prothrombotic state during active infection with the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2). However, reports of delayed multisystemic COVID-19-associated thromboembolic sequelae are limited in the current literature. In addition, the initiation of prophylactic antithrombotic therapy in patients for the prevention of such events during and after infection remains controversial due to conflicting reports. Here, we present evidence to support that patients with comorbid conditions are at higher risk for multisystemic COVID-19-associated thromboembolic events and propose that beginning prophylactic therapy in this population could lead to more favorable outcomes. We describe a 67-year-old male who presented with left-sided weakness and worsening shortness of breath and was diagnosed with COVID-19 approximately one month prior. Initial computed tomography (CT) of the brain showed an age-indeterminate cerebellar infarct. On CT angiography (CTA) of the neck, a saddle embolus was incidentally found and was confirmed on an immediate follow-up chest CT. After consultation with neurology, a decision was made to administer thrombolytics at the standard recommended stroke dosing. The patient was admitted to the ICU and received mechanical thrombectomy two days later. At the time of hospital discharge, the patient still had left-sided weakness on examination and required no additional oxygen support. This report reviews the prevalence of delayed sequelae of COVID-19 and the benefit of prophylactic antithrombotic therapy during active and post-SARS-CoV-2 infection. It is important for emergency medicine physicians to recognize that patients who have recovered from COVID-19 are at high risk for delayed thromboembolic disease, even in the absence of personal or family history of coagulopathy. This underscores the necessity of obtaining imaging studies in high-risk patients who present with acute symptoms that cannot be explained by other probable causes. In addition, patients should be encouraged to follow up with their primary care providers to discuss prophylactic anticoagulation therapy as it could be beneficial during and post-COVID-19.

SARS-CoV-2 Infection Dysregulates Host Iron (Fe)-Redox Homeostasis (Fe-R-H): Role of Fe-Redox Regulators, Ferroptosis Inhibitors, Anticoagulants, and Iron-Chelators in COVID-19 Control

Severe imbalance in iron metabolism among SARS-CoV-2 infected patients is prominent in every symptomatic (mild, moderate to severe) clinical phase of COVID-19. Phase-I - Hypoxia correlates with reduced O₂ transport by erythrocytes, overexpression of HIF-1α, altered mitochondrial bioenergetics with host metabolic reprogramming (HMR). Phase-II - Hyperferritinemia results from an increased iron overload, which triggers a fulminant proinflammatory response - the acute cytokine release syndrome (CRS). Elevated cytokine levels (i.e. IL6, TNFα and CRP) strongly correlates with altered ferritin/TF ratios in COVID-19 patients. Phase-III - Thromboembolism is consequential to erythrocyte dysfunction with heme release, increased prothrombin time and elevated D-dimers, cumulatively linked to severe coagulopathies with life-threatening outcomes such as ARDS, and multi-organ failure. Taken together, Fe-R-H dysregulation is implicated in every symptomatic phase of COVID-19. Fe-R-H regulators such as lactoferrin (LF), hemoxygenase-1 (HO-1), erythropoietin (EPO) and hepcidin modulators are innate bio-replenishments that sequester iron, neutralize iron-mediated free radicals, reduce oxidative stress, and improve host defense by optimizing iron metabolism. Due to its pivotal role in 'cytokine storm', ferroptosis is a potential intervention target. Ferroptosis inhibitors such as ferrostatin-1, liproxstatin-1, quercetin, and melatonin could prevent mitochondrial lipid peroxidation, up-regulate antioxidant/GSH levels and abrogate iron overload-induced apoptosis through activation of Nrf2 and HO-1 signaling pathways. Iron chelators such as heparin, deferoxamine, caffeic acid, curcumin, α-lipoic acid, and phytic acid could protect against ferroptosis and restore mitochondrial function, iron-redox potential, and rebalance Fe-R-H status. Therefore, Fe-R-H restoration is a host biomarker-driven potential combat strategy for an effective clinical and post-recovery management of COVID-19.

Chronic Anti-Coagulation Therapy Reduced Mortality In Patients With High Cardiovascular Risk Early In COVID-19 Pandemic

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is associated with provoked thrombo-inflammatory responses. Early in the COVID-19 pandemic this was thought to contribute to hypercoagulability and multi-organ system complications in infected patients. Limited studies have evaluated the impact of therapeutic anti-coagulation therapy (AC) in alleviate these risks in COVID-19 positive patients. Our study aimed to investigate whether long-term therapeutic AC can decrease the risk of multi-organ system complications (MOSC) including stroke, limb ischemia, gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding, in-hospital and intensive care unit death in COVID-19 positive patients during the early phase of the pandemic in the United States. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted of all COVID-19 positive United States Veterans between March 2020 and October 2020. Patients receiving continuous therapeutic AC for a least 30 days prior to or after their initial COVID-19 positive test were assigned to the AC group. Patients who did not receive AC were included in a control group. We analyzed the primary study outcome of MOSC between the AC and control groups using binary logistic regression analysis (Odd-Ratio; OR). Results: We identified 48,066 COVID-19 patients, of them 879 (1.8%) were receiving continuous therapeutic AC. The AC cohort had significantly worse comorbidities than the control group. On the adjusted binary logistic regression model, therapeutic AC significantly decreased in-hospital mortality rate (OR; 0.67, p = 0.04), despite a higher incidence of GI bleeding (OR; 4.00, p = 0.02). However, therapeutic AC did not significantly reduce other adverse events. Conclusion: AC therapy reduced in-hospital death early in the COVID-19 pandemic among patients who were hospitalized with the infection. However, it did not decrease the risk of MOSC. Additional trials are needed to determine the effectiveness of AC in preventing complications associated with ongoing emerging strains of the COVID-19 virus.

Safety and efficacy of prophylactic anticoagulation versus therapeutic anticoagulation in hospital-admitted COVID-19 patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

BACKGROUND

COVID-19 disease-related coagulopathy and thromboembolic complication, an important aspect of the disease pathophysiology, are frequent and associated with poor outcomes, particularly significant in hospitalized patients. Undoubtedly, anticoagulation forms a cornerstone for the management of hospitalized COVID-19 patients, but the appropriate dosing has been inconclusive and a subject of research. We aim to review existing literature and compare safety and efficacy outcomes of prophylactic and therapeutic dose anticoagulation in such patients.

METHODS

We did a systematic review and meta-analysis to compare the efficacy and safety of prophylactic dose anticoagulation when compared with therapeutic dosing in hospitalized COVID-19 patients. We searched PubMed, Google Scholar, EMBASE and COCHRANE databases from 2019 to 2021, without any restriction by language. We screened records, extracted data and assessed the risk of bias in the studies. RCTs that directly compare therapeutic and prophylactic anticoagulants dosing and are not placebo-controlled trials were included. Analyses of data were conducted using the Mantel-Haenszel random-effects model (DerSimonian-Laird analysis). The study is registered with PROSPERO (CRD42021265948).

RESULTS

We included three studies in the final quantitative analysis. The incidence of thromboembolic events in therapeutic anticoagulation was lower in comparison with prophylactic anticoagulation in hospitalized COVID-19 patients and reached statistical significance [RR 1·45, 95% CI (1.07, 1.97) I² -0%], whereas major bleeding as an adverse event was found lower in prophylactic anticoagulation in comparison with therapeutic anticoagulation that was statistically significant [RR 0·42, 95% CI(0.19, 0.93) I² -0%].

CONCLUSION

Our study shows that therapeutic dose anticoagulation is more effective in preventing thromboembolic events than prophylactic dose but significantly increases the risk of major bleeding as an adverse event. So, the risk-benefit ratio must be considered while using either of them.

Cardiovascular implications of the COVID-19: Management of complications and drug safety concerns

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, has rapidly spread worldwide and has been infected more than 219 million individuals with 4.55 million deaths worldwide as of September 2021, causing a pandemic. Preexisting cardiovascular (CV) comorbidities such as hypertension, diabetes, and coronary artery disease seem to be associated with greater severity of infection, worse prognosis, and higher mortality. Moreover, COVID-19 can contribute to CV complications, including acute myocardial injury, arrhythmia, acute coronary syndrome, and venous thromboembolism, emphasizing the importance of precocious detection and implementation of optimal therapeutic strategies. This review provides an overview of evidence-based data of CV complications of COVID-19, focusing on their management strategies, as well as potential cardiac adverse effects and drug interactions, due to off-label and investigational drugs used for the treatment of COVID-19.

Inhalation of Low Molecular Weight Heparins as Prophylaxis against SARS-CoV-2

New SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern and waning immunity demonstrate the need for a quick and simple prophylactic agent to prevent infection. Low molecular weight heparins (LMWH) are potent inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2 binding and infection in vitro. The airways are a major route for infection and therefore inhaled LMWH could be a prophylactic treatment against SARS-CoV-2. We investigated the efficacy of in vivo inhalation of LMWH in humans to prevent SARS-CoV-2 attachment to nasal epithelial cells in a single-center, open-label intervention study. Volunteers received enoxaparin in the right and a placebo (NaCl 0.9%) in the left nostril using a nebulizer. After application, nasal epithelial cells were retrieved with a brush for ex-vivo exposure to either SARS-CoV-2 pseudovirus or an authentic SARS-CoV-2 isolate and virus attachment as determined. LMWH inhalation significantly reduced attachment of SARS-CoV-2 pseudovirus as well as authentic SARS-CoV-2 to human nasal cells. Moreover, in vivo inhalation was as efficient as in vitro LMWH application. Cell phenotyping revealed no differences between placebo and treatment groups and no adverse events were observed in the study participants. Our data strongly suggested that inhalation of LMWH was effective to prevent SARS-CoV-2 attachment and subsequent infection. LMWH is ubiquitously available, affordable, and easy to apply, making them suitable candidates for prophylactic treatment against SARS-CoV-2. IMPORTANCE New SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern and waning immunity demonstrate the need for a quick and simple agent to prevent infection. Low molecular weight heparins (LMWH) have been shown to inhibit SARS-CoV-2 in experimental settings. The airways are a major route for SARS-CoV-2 infection and inhaled LMWH could be a prophylactic treatment. We investigated the efficacy of inhalation of the LMWH enoxaparin in humans to prevent SARS-CoV-2 attachment because this is a prerequisite for infection. Volunteers received enoxaparin in the right and a placebo in the left nostril using a nebulizer. Subsequently, nasal epithelial cells were retrieved with a brush and exposed to SARS-CoV-2. LMWH inhalation significantly reduced the binding of SARS-Cov-2 to human nasal cells. Cell phenotyping revealed no differences between placebo and treatment groups and no adverse events were observed in the participants. Our data indicated that LMWH can be used to block SARS-CoV-2 attachment to nasal cells. LMWH was ubiquitously available, affordable, and easily applicable, making them excellent candidates for prophylactic treatment against SARS-CoV-2.

A diagnostic model for serious COVID-19 infection among older adults in Shanghai during the Omicron wave

Background

The Omicron variant is characterized by striking infectivity and antibody evasion. The analysis of Omicron variant BA.2 infection risk factors is limited among geriatric individuals and understanding these risk factors would promote improvement in the public health system and reduction in mortality. Therefore, our research investigated BA.2 infection risk factors for discriminating severe/critical from mild/moderate geriatric patients.

Methods

Baseline characteristics of enrolled geriatric patients (aged over 60 years) with Omicron infections were analyzed. A logistic regression analysis was conducted to evaluate factors correlated with severe/critical patients. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was constructed for predicting variables to discriminate mild/moderate patients from severe/critical patients.

Results

A total of 595 geriatric patients older than 60 years were enrolled in this study. Lymphocyte subset levels were significantly decreased, and white blood cells (WBCs) and D-dimer levels were significantly increased with disease progression from a mild/moderate state to a severe/critical state. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses identified a panel of WBCs, CD4⁺ T cell, and D-dimer values that were correlated with good diagnostic accuracy for discriminating mild/moderate patients from severe/critical patients with an area under the curve of 0.962.

Conclusion

Some key baseline laboratory indicators change with disease development. A panel was identified for discriminating mild/moderate patients from severe/critical patients, suggesting that the panel could serve as a potential biomarker to enable physicians to provide timely medical services in clinical practice.

Performance of D-dimer to lymphocyte ratio in predicting the mortality of COVID-19 patients

BACKGROUND

Nowadays, there is still no effective treatment developed for COVID-19, and early identification and supportive therapies are essential in reducing the morbidity and mortality of COVID-19. This is the first study to evaluate D-dimer to lymphocyte ratio (DLR) as a prognostic utility in patients with COVID-19.

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed 611 patients and separated them into groups of survivors and non-survivors. The area under the curve (AUC) of various predictors integrated into the prognosis of COVID-19 was compared using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. In order to ascertain the interaction between DLR and survival in COVID-19 patients, the Kaplan-Meier (KM) curve was chosen.

RESULTS

Age (OR = 1.053; 95% CI, 1.022-1.086; P = 0.001), NLR (OR = 1.045; 95% CI, 1.001-1.091; P = 0.046), CRP (OR = 1.010; 95% CI, 1.005-1.016; P < 0.001), PT (OR = 1.184; 95% CI, 1.018-1.377; P = 0.029), and DLR (OR = 1.048; 95% CI, 1.018-1.078; P = 0.001) were the independent risk factors related with the mortality of COVID-19. DLR had the highest predictive value for COVID-19 mortality with the AUC of 0.924. Patients' survival was lower when compared to those with lower DLR (Log Rank P <0.001).

CONCLUSION

DLR might indicate a risk factor in the mortality of patients with COVID-19.

Similarities and differences between MIS-C and KD: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) is a new syndrome with some clinical manifestations similar to Kawasaki disease (KD), which is difficult to distinguish.

OBJECTIVE

The study aimed to characterize the demographic characteristics, clinical characteristics, laboratory features, cardiac complications, and treatment of MIS-C compared with KD.

STUDY DESIGN

Studies were selected by searching the PubMed, EMBASE and so on before February 28, 2022. Statistical analyses were performed using Review Manager 5.4 software and STATA 14.0.

RESULTS

Fourteen studies with 2928 participants were included. MIS-C patients tended to be older and there was no significant difference in the sex ratio. In terms of clinical characteristics, MIS-C patients were more frequently represented with respiratory, gastrointestinal symptoms and shock. At the same time, they had a lower incidence of conjunctivitis than KD patients. MIS-C patients had lower lymphocyte counts, platelet (PLT) counts, erythrocyte sedimentation rates (ESRs), alanine transaminase (ALT), and albumin levels and had higher levels of aspartate transaminase (AST), N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-pro-BNP), troponin, C-reactive protein (CRP), D-dimer, fibrinogen, ferritin, and creatinine. MIS-C patients had a higher incidence of left ventricle (LV) dysfunction, valvular regurgitation, pericardial effusion, myocarditis, and pericarditis. The incidence of coronary artery lesion (CAL) was lower in MIS-C patients [OR (95% CI): 0.52 (0.29, 0.93), p =0.03], while it was similar in the acute period. MIS-C patients had higher utilization of glucocorticoids (GCs) and lower utilization of intravenous immune globulin (IVIG).

CONCLUSIONS

There were specific differences between MIS-C and KD, which might assist clinicians with the accurate recognition of MIS-C and further mechanistic research.

Outcomes in Severe COVID-19 Patients Following Percutaneous Versus Open Surgical Tracheostomy: An Analysis of Clinical and Prognostic Indicators

Background and objective Tracheostomy in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients can be performed in cases of prolonged intubation or in patients with a known difficult airway. Tracheostomy is usually performed by two main approaches: open surgery or percutaneous endoscopic insertion. However, few studies have compared these two techniques in severe COVID-19 patients. The objective of the present study was to compare the efficacy of the two main methods of tracheostomy among patients with severe COVID-19 infection. We also aimed to investigate the impact of various lab data and medications on patient outcomes. Materials and methods We included all symptomatic severe COVID-19 patients in need of prolonged mechanical ventilation. We examined the patients' past medical history, arterial blood gas (ABG) analysis, laboratory workups, and medication history. We calculated the PaO₂/FiO₂ ratio as an index to evaluate the severity of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Results During the study period, 72 patients with severe COVID-19 underwent tracheostomy tube insertion. The average age of participants was 58.93 ±15.27 years; 44 (61.1%) were male and 28 (38.9%) were female. Of note, 54 (75.0%) patients passed away and only 18 (25.0%) survived. Among the survivors, 13 (29.5%) were men and five (17.9%) were women. The study showed a significantly higher mortality rate (23, 92.0%) among patients who underwent open surgery compared to those who received percutaneous surgery (31, 65.9%) (p=0.01). Conclusion Based on our findings, percutaneous endoscopic tracheostomy seems to be the superior approach compared to open tracheostomy. Other predictive factors associated with patient outcomes included levels of HCO₃, FiO₂, PaCO₂, and PaO₂/FiO₂ ratio.

Therapeutic vs. prophylactic anticoagulation in COVID-19 patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis of real-world studies

INTRODUCTION

Coagulopathy, in the form of either venous or arterial thromboembolism, is one of the most severe sequelae of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and has been associated with poorer outcomes. However, the role of therapeutic anticoagulation (tAC) or prophylactic anticoagulation (pAC) in COVID-19 patients has not been definitely established. Therefore, the aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to gather all the available real-world data in the field and to provide a reliable effect size of the effect on mortality of tAC compared to pAC in COVID-19 patients.

EVIDENCE ACQUISITION

Real-world studies (RWS) were identified by searching electronic databases from inception to 31st October, 2021. Randomized controlled trials were excluded. Mortality and bleedings were considered as primary and secondary outcomes, respectively.

EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS

10 RWS and 5541 patients were included in the analysis. Overall, tAC was associated with lower mortality (HR=0.62, 95% CI: 0.54-0.71). There was asymmetry at the funnel plot suggesting publication bias, that was not confirmed at the Egger test (P=0.07). For the secondary endpoint, there was a non-statistically significant tendency for more bleedings in patients treated with tAC compared to pAC (RR=1.75, 95% CI: 0.81-3.81).

CONCLUSIONS

Our meta-analysis, based on RWS and adjusted estimates of risk, suggests a survival benefit of tAC over pAC in COVID-19 patients in the real world.

Myocardial recovery in a patient with dilated cardiomyopathy after short-term biventricular assist device support

Management of patients with end-stage heart failure is still challenging. We report a case of idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy who went through a challenging course. The case was presented as acute heart failure syndrome, which rapidly declined into cardiogenic shock and cardiac arrest that required an extracorporeal membrane oxygenator, then biventricular assist device implantation for circulatory support. The course was complicated with severe gastrointestinal bleeding and multiorgan failure until achieving full cardiac and organ recovery. The left ventricle ejection fraction improved from 10% to 50% at discharge.

Aspects scanographiques de la pneumopathie à COVID-19 à Ouagadougou: Étude multicentrique à propos de 1017 cas

OBJECTIVE

To study the chest CT profile of SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia in patients in the city of Ouagadougou.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

descriptive cross-sectional study with retrospective collection of 1017 patients of both sexes. Included were patients aged 15 and over who had performed a chest CT scan without or with injection of contrast product, suspected or positive for COVID -19. The variables analyzed were: the history, the nature of the examination, the socio-demographic, clinical, CT data including the description of the tomodensitometric lesions and their characteristics, the extent of the parenchymal lesions according to the visual estimate of the French thoracic Imaging Society, complications, other lesions on the chest CT scan and CORADS classification. All parameters (age, sex on the one hand and clinical and CT findings on the other) were subjected to statistical analysis.

RESULTS

The mean age of the patients was 56.95 years, predominantly male (1.47). Dyspnea was the most frequent symptomatology, at 46.26% (n = 506). Diabetes was the most common comorbidity with 29.37% (n = 94). Frosted glass opacity accounted for 90.95% of elementary lesions which were predominantly in plaque in 44.35% (n = 451), bilateral in (82.79%) and peripheral subpleural in (81.51%). The lower lobes were the most affected and postero-basal involvement predominant with greater involvement in the right lung. The extent was severe in 28.42% (n = 289). Thirty-nine point twenty-three (39.23)% or 399 of cases presented with complications dominated by pleural effusion at 56.39% (n = 225) and pulmonary embolism at 34.08% (n = 136 ). The lesions were classified as CORADS type in 815 CT reports. CORADS 5 type lesions were found in 47% of patients. Five hundred and ninety-two (592) PCRs of our patients were undetermined, in 58.21%. The PCR was positive in 342 cases or 33.63%. The bi- and multivariate analysis noted: a statistically significant link between the age and the extent of the lesions, between the extent of the lesions and the clinical context, between the extent of the lesions and comorbidities such as diabetes, Hypertension and renal failure. There was also a link between the PCR result and basic lesions such as ground glass and crazy paving and between the occurrence of pulmonary embolism and the presence of hypertension.

DISCUSSION

The scanographic profile corresponded to that described in the literature. Frosted glass was the most common elementary lesion. The impairment was severe to critical in patients over 65 with comorbidity. CT angiography was the most requested in front of signs such as dyspnea and desaturation CONCLUSION: A study on CT specificities with precision on the onset of symptoms and the notion of vaccination would complement these results.

SARS-CoV-2 Infection and Candidate Biomarkers

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 is a virus that can still infect individuals and whose deadly effects continue despite the current vaccines and drugs. Since 2019, many studies on the pathogenesis of the disease have been completed and continue to be done. In addition to the diagnosis and treatment of the disease, many molecules that can be markers of the disease have been investigated. In the early stages of the pandemic, many nonspecific and infection-related laboratory findings and chest computed tomography were used to obtain information about the diagnosis of the disease. The more individual molecules became associated with the disease yet. The purpose of this review is to summarize the impact and role of many molecules associated with coronavirus disease-2019 infection that have been previously used and newly revealed. Numerous studies are summarized in this review. The obtained data show that previously used laboratory findings and new potential biomarkers are not specific to the disease. New potential biomarkers have been associated with the severity of the disease itself, as can be seen with lung imaging and even with routine laboratory findings. One of the important points that are seen frequently in studies is that the effectiveness of these molecules has been shown not only in coronavirus disease-2019 infection but also in many other diseases. This removes the pathogenesis of the disease from being a unique mechanism created by the Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 and provides a general perspective formed by viral or bacterial infections. However, there are still many molecular changes that need to be investigated. Future studies will continue to update themselves with the mutations of the virus.

Risk of thrombotic events and other complications in anticoagulant users infected with SARS-CoV-2: an observational cohort study in primary health care in SIDIAP (Catalonia, Spain)

Background

The risk of thromboembolic events and COVID-19 complications in anticoagulated patients once hospitalized has been widely analyzed. We aim to assess these outcomes in primary health care (PHC) patients chronically treated with oral anticoagulants (OAC) in comparison with non-treated.

Methods

Cohort study including adults with COVID-19 diagnosis in the PHC records in Catalonia, Spain; from March to June 2020. Patients were matched between exposed and non-exposed to OAC based on age and gender in a 1:2 design. Data source is the Information System for Research in Primary Care (SIDIAP).

Results

We included 311,542 individuals with COVID-19. After propensity score matching, we obtained a cohort of 20,360 people, 10,180 exposed and 10,180 non-exposed to OAC. Their mean age was 79.9 and 52.1% were women. Patients exposed to OAC had a higher frequency of comorbidities than non-exposed. Anticoagulated patients had a higher risk of hospital admission (IRR 1.16, 95% CI 1.03–1.29), and of stroke and pulmonary embolism than non-anticoagulated (IRR 1,80, 95% CI 1.06–3.06). The risk of pneumonia was not different between groups (IRR 1.04, 95% CI 0.84–1.30). We found a lower risk of death in patients exposed to OAC (IRR 0.60, 95% CI 0.55–0.65).

Conclusions

OAC users in our study had more comorbidities and were older than non-users, well known risks for hospitalization being confirmed with our results. We also found in our study that OAC exposure was not associated to an increased risk in the mortality rate, and it was associated with higher risks of hospital admission and thromboembolic events, although we cannot assess the effect of the interventions applied during hospital admission on the outcomes studied, as our database is a PHC database.

Trial registration

EUPAS register: EUPAS37205.

Radiological manifestations and complications of lung and brain in Egyptian COVID-19 patients

Background

Coronavirus disease COVID-19 is a viral illness, currently affecting millions of people worldwide. Pneumonia is the most common extreme presentation of COVID-19 infection, manifesting by fever, dry cough, difficulty of breathing or shortness of breath and mainly ground-glass infiltrates in radiological images. Chest computed tomography (CT) has a potential role in the diagnosis, detection of complications and prognostication of coronavirus disease COVID-19. In addition to severe respiratory manifestations, there are a wide range of neurological manifestations ranging from nonspecific symptoms to necrotizing encephalopathies and stroke. Our study aimed to review lung and neurological manifestations in recent and post-COVID-19 Egyptian patients and to be familiar with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings of Neuro-COVID patients.

Results

The present study included eighty COVID-19 patients with age ranged from 28 to 78 years (mean age 57.84 + 12.58 years) who were 54 males (mean age 56.64 + 12.50) and 26 females (mean age 48.65 + 14.24). All our patients were with recent or previous history of COVID-19 infection and subjected to careful history taking, thorough clinical examination, routine laboratory investigations and CT examination. The reported lung manifestations included normal lung shadows, ground-glass opacifications (GGOs), consolidations, reticulation, reticulation and GGOs (crazy paving) and fibrotic-like changes. Out of eighty COVID-19 patients, twenty showed neurological manifestations ranging from nonspecific symptoms to necrotizing encephalopathies and stroke. Patients with neurological manifestation were in addition to CT submitted to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as appropriate. MRI done to neuro-COVID patients showed that 8/20 (40%) had no abnormalities and 12/20 (60%) had abnormalities. The most common abnormalities are infarction, major or lacunar infarction, followed by acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM), posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) and meningoencephalitis.

Conclusion

Old age patients, especially males, were more affected than females. Lung manifestations are common in COVID-19 patients than neurological manifestations. The presence of fibrotic changes in the lung could predict severe COVID-19 affection and bad prognosis. There might be an association between appearance of neurological manifestations and poor outcome in COVID-19 patients.