D-dimer daily continuous tendency predicts the short-term prognosis for COVID-19 independently: A retrospective study from Northeast China

Influence of Covid-19 disease on hemostasis dynamics during extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO)1

INTRODUCTION

COVID-19 causes a considerable degradation of pulmonary function to the point of an acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Over the course of the disease the gas exchange capability of the lung can get impaired to such an extent that extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is needed as a life-saving intervention. In patients COVID-19 as well as ECMO may cause severe coagulopathies which manifest themselves in micro and macro thrombosis. Previous studies established D-dimers as a marker for critical thrombosis of the ECMO system while on admission increased D-dimers are associated with a higher mortality in COIVD-19 patients. It is therefore crucial to determine if COVID-19 poses an increased risk of early thrombosis of the vital ECMO system.

METHODS

40 patients who required ECMO support were enrolled in a retrospective analysis and assigned into 2 groups. The COVID group consist of 20 COVID-19 patients who required ECMO support (n = 20), whereas 20 ECMO patients without COVID-19 were assigned to the control group. D-dimers, fibrinogen, antithrombin III (AT III), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and platelet count were analysed using locally weighted scatterplot smoothing and MANOVAs.

RESULTS

The analysis of both groups shows highly significant differences in the dynamics of hemostasis. The increase in D-dimers that is associated with thrombosis of the ECMO systems occurs in COVID-19 patients around 2 days earlier (p = 2,8115 10-11) while fibrinogen is consumed steadily. In the control group fibrinogen levels increase rapidly after ten days with a plateau phase of around five days (p = 1,407 10-3) . Both groups experience a rapid increase in AT III after start of support by ECMO (p = 5,96 10-15). In the COVID group platelet count decreased from 210 giga/l to 130 giga/l within eight days, while in the same time span in the control group platelets decreased from 180 giga/l to 105 giga/l (p = 1,1 10-15). In both groups a marked increase in LDH beyond 5000 U/l occurs (p = 3,0865 10-15).

CONCLUSION

The early increase in D-dimers and decrease in fibrinogen suggests that COVID-19 patients bear an increased risk of early thrombosis of the ECMO system compared to other diseases treated with ECMO. Additionally, the control group shows signs of severe inflammation 10 days after the start of ECMO which were absent in COVID-19 patients.

Can we predict critical care mortality with non-conventional inflammatory markers in SARS-CoV-2 infected patients?

BACKGROUND

Severe COVID-19 disease is associated with multiple organ involvement,then failure and often fatal outcomes.In addition,inflammatory mechanisms and cytokine storms,documented in many COVID-19 patients,are responsible for the progression of the disease and high mortality rates.Inflammatory parameters,such as procalcitonin(PCT) and C-reactive protein(CRP), are widely used in clinical practice.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the predictive power of non-conventional inflammatory markers regarding mortality risk.

METHODS

In our prospective study 52 patients were followed for 5 days after admission to an intensive care unit immediately with severe SARS-CoV-2 infection.We compared leukocyte-,platelet antisedimentation rate (LAR, PAR),neutrophil lymphocyte ratio(NLR), CRP, PCT levels.

RESULTS

In non-surviving(NSU) patients LAR remained largely constant from D1 to D4 with a statistically significant drop(p <  0.05) only seen on D5.The NSU group showed statistically significant(p <  0.05) elevated LAR medians on D4 and D5, compared to the SU group.NLR values were continually higher in the non-survivor group.The difference between the SU and NSU groups were statistically significant on every examined day.PAR, CRP and PCT levels didn't show any significant differences between the SU and NSU groups.

CONCLUSIONS

In conclusion, this study suggests that LAR and NLR are especially worthy of further investigation as prognostic markers.LAR might be of particular relevance as it is not routinely obtained in current clinical practice.It would seem beneficial to include LAR in data sets to train prognostic artificial intelligence.

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.

Cytokine absorption in critically ill old COVID-19 patients with renal failure: A retrospective analysis of 503 intensive care unit patients

BACKGROUND

COVID-19 is associated with cytokine release in critical disease states. Thus, cytokine absorption has been proposed as a therapeutic option. This study investigated the influence of cytokine absorption on mortality in old critical patients with COVID-19 and renal failure admitted to intensive care units (ICU).

METHODS

This retrospective analysis of a prospective international observation study (the COVIP study) analysed ICU patients≥70 years with COVID-19. Data on Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score, clinical frailty scale (CFS), ICU therapy details including renal replacement therapy (RRT) with/without cytokine absorption were collected. The cytokine absorption group was compared to patients receiving RRT without cytokine absorptionRESULTS:Among 3927 patients, 503 received RRT; among them 47 patients were treated with cytokine absorption. Mortality rates were high in both groups with increased rates in the cytokine group for ICU mortality and 30-day mortality, but not for 3-month mortality. Logistic regression analysis indicated that SOFA-score, but not cytokine absorption was associated with mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

Critical COVID-19 patients with renal failure treated with cytokine absorption showed higher short term mortality rates when compared to patients with renal replacement therapy alone. Mortality is associated with disease severity, but not cytokine absorption in a multivariate analysis.

Dynamic changes in coagulation, hematological and biochemical parameters as predictors of mortality in critically ill COVID-19 patients: A prospective observational study

INTRODUCTION

This study was created to analyze dynamic alterations in coagulation, hematological and biochemical parameters and their association with mortality of COVID-19 patients. To identify the most sensitive biomarkers as predictors of mortality more research is required.

METHODS

The present study was a prospective, one-year-long observational study conducted on all critically ill, COVID-19 patients with respiratory failure. The following data were collected: demographic and clinical characteristics of the study population, comorbidities, coagulation, biochemical and hematological parameters. The primary outcome was the proportion of patients who died.

RESULTS

91 patients with median age 60 (50-67), 76.9% male, met the acute respiratory distress syndrome criteria. It was tested whether dynamic change (delta-Δ) of parameters that were found to be predictors of mortality is independently associated with poor outcome. Adjusted (multivariate) analysis was used, where tested parameters were corrected for basic and clinical patients characteristics. The only inflammatory parameter which dynamic change had statistically significant odds ratio was ΔCRP (p < 0.005), while among coagulation parameters statistically significant OR was found for Δ fibrinogen (p < 0.005) in predicting mortality.

CONCLUSION

Monitoring of coagulation, hematological and biochemical parameters abnormalities and their dynamical changes can potentially improve management and predict mortality in critically ill COVID -19 patients.

COVID-19 hemodynamic and thrombotic effect on the eye microcirculation after hospitalization: A quantitative case-control study

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE

To quantify the hemodynamic and thrombotic effect of COVID-19 on the eye microcirculation of patients with thromboprophylaxis, shortly after hospital discharge.

METHODS

This case-control study included 17 COVID-19 survivors (named "COVID-19 Group") and 17 healthy volunteers (named "Control Group"). Axial blood velocity (Vax) and percentage of occluded vessels (POV) were quantified by Conjunctival Video Capillaroscopy (CVC). Microvessels were identified and classified as "capillaries" (CAP), "postcapillary venules of size 1" (PC1), and "postcapillary venules of size 2" (PC2).

RESULTS

The COVID-19 Group did not differ significantly in basic demographics from the Control Group. In the COVID-19 Group, there was a statistically significant (p < 0.001) reduction of Vax (39%, 49% and 47%, for CAP, PC1, and PC2, respectively) in comparison to the Control Group and a sizeable (p < 0.001) increase of POV (600%) in comparison to the Control Group.

CONCLUSIONS

COVID-19 not only reduces significantly axial blood velocity in the capillaries and postcapillary venules of the eye but has also a devastating effect on microthrombosis (POV) despite thromboprophylaxis treatment. This gives a possible explanation for long COVID and a hint about the existence of a possibly unknown coagulation factor.

Multimodal ultrasound imaging with conventional B-mode, elastography, and parametric analysis of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS): A novel approach to assess small bowel manifestation in severe COVID-19 disease

The aim was to describe the small bowel morphology with conventional B-mode and elastography and additionally to evaluate dynamic effects of COVID-19 associated small bowel microvascularization using CEUS with color coded perfusion parameters.Thirteen patients with severe COVID-19 acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) were investigated. 13 patients required intensive care treatment with mechanical ventilation. Five patients required extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). Contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) was performed by an experienced investigator as a bolus injection of up to 2.4 ml sulfur hexafluoride microbubbles via a central venous catheter. In the parametric analysis of CEUS, the flare of microbubbles over time is visualized with colors. This is the first work using parametric analysis of CEUS to detect perfusion differences in the small bowel.Parametric analysis of CEUS in the intestinal phase was carried out, using DICOM loops for 20 seconds. In 5 patients, parametric analysis revealed intraindividual differences in contrast agent behavior in the small bowel region. Analogous to the computed tomography (CT) images parametric analysis showed regions of simultaneous hyper- and hypoperfusion of the small intestine in a subgroup of patients. In 5 patients, the parametric image of transmural global contrast enhancement was visualized.Our results using CEUS to investigate small bowel affection in COVID-19 suggest that in severe COVID-19 ARDS systemic inflammation and concomitant micro embolisms may lead to disruption of the epithelial barrier of the small intestine.This is the first study using parametric analysis of CEUS to evaluate the extent of small bowel involvement in severe COVID-19 disease and to detect microemboli. In summary, we show that in COVID-19 the small bowel may also be an important interaction site. This is in line with the fact that enterocytes have been shown to a plenitude of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE)-2 receptors as entry sites of the virus.

Coagulation and hemorheology profile of patient with stroke and COVID-19: A case series during second wave pandemic

In 2021 the delta variant was discovered, heralding the start of the second pandemic wave. This case series aims to analyse and compare the coagulation and hemorheology profiles of COVID-19 patients diagnosed with acute stroke during the pandemic's second wave and ascertain the effect on patient outcomes. This case series reports 4 cases with their respective characteristics. Case 1 reports on COVID-19 patients without comorbidities, Case 2 with comorbidities, Case 3 with strokes in young patients, and Case 4 with strokes in elderly patients. All cases had abnormal coagulation and hemorheology factors with mixed outcomes. Coagulation and hemorheology factors tend to be higher in COVID-19 patients with acute stroke. The value of coagulation and hemorheology factors can be a prognostic outcome in COVID-19 patients with severe disease, especially in patients associated with acute stroke.

Blood hyperviscosity in acute and recent COVID-19 infection

BACKGROUND

Elevated estimated blood viscosity (EBV), derived from hematocrit and globulins, is associated with thrombotic complications, organ failure, and higher mortality in COVID-19 patients. Although informative, EBV does not account for cellular interactions or fibrinogen.

OBJECTIVE

Investigate whether patients with acute and recent COVID-19 have altered whole blood viscosity (WBV) when measured at both high and low shear rates using in vitro blood samples from patients.

METHODS

Cross-sectional study of 58 patients: 15 in the intensive care unit with acute COVID-19, 32 convalescent (9 < 8weeks [W] from acute infection, 23 > 8 W), and 11 controls without COVID-19. WBV was measured at high (300 s-1) and low (5 s-1) shear rates (HSR, LSR) using a scanning capillary viscometer.RESULTSAcute and convalescent patients < 8 W had mean WBV at LSR (16.0 centipoise [cP] and 15.1 cP) and HSR (5.1 cP and 4.7 cP). Mean WBV of convalescent > 8 W and control patients were 12.3 cP and 13.0 cP at LSR, and 4.1 cP and 4.2 cP at HSR. Acute and < 8 W patients had significantly higher WBV at both HSR and LSR compared to patients > 8 W (all p≤0.01). No significant differences in WBV were observed between acute and < 8 W patients, or between patients > 8 W and controls.

CONCLUSIONS

Hyperviscosity provides a possible explanation for thrombotic risk in acute and convalescent (< 8 W) patients. These findings have important implications for thromboprophylaxis.

Impaired fibrinolysis in severe Covid-19 infection is detectable in early stages of the disease

BACKGROUND

A significant degree of mortality and morbidity in Covid-19 is due to thromboembolic disease. Coagulopathy has been well described in critically unwell patients on ICU. There is less clear evidence regarding these changes at the time of presentation to the Emergency Department and the progression of disease over time.

OBJECTIVE

We sought to investigate whether coagulation markers can predict severity and how they change over the disease course.

METHODS

Patients presenting to a single University Teaching Hospital were recruited and followed up if PCR was positive. Alongside routine blood testing, Rotational Thromboelastometry (ROTEM) was performed. Outcome data was recorded for all patients, and ROTEM values were compared across outcome groups.

RESULTS

Extem and Intem Maximum Lysis were significantly reduced in those who died or required an ICU admission, indicating a reduced ability to break down clot mass in the most critically unwell patients.

CONCLUSION

Comparisons between groups demonstrated that one distinguishing feature between those who require ICU admission or die of Covid-19 compared with those who survive a hospital stay to discharge was the extent to which fibrinolysis could occur. Mortality and morbidity in Covid-19 infection appears in part driven by an inability to break down clot mass.

Association of serum homocysteine and folic acid levels with coagulation functions of cancer patients with venous thromboembolism

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a common coagulative dysfunctional complication of cancer patients. The present study aimed to determine the association and diagnostic values of serum homocysteine (Hcy) and folic acid levels with VTE in cancer patients. We enrolled 700 cancer patients and 100 healthy subjects in our study. All cancer patients, with or without VTE, underwent measurement of serum Hcy and folic acid levels and coagulative markers including D-Dimer, factor VIII, fibrinogen and tissue plasminogen activator. The diagnostic values of Hcy and folic acid were assessed by receiver operative characteristic (ROC) analysis. Correlations between Hcy and folic acid and coagulative factors were determined. Among the 700 patients with malignant tumors recruited in our study, a total of 89 patients had VTE combined within three months, and 611 patients did not have VTE. Cancer patients with VTE had significantly higher levels of Hcy and significantly lower levels of folic acid in serum. Both Hcy and folic acid in serum demonstrated high sensitivity and specificity in diagnosing VTE in cancer patients and showed strong correlations to coagulative markers. Hcy and folic acid, which have strong correlations to coagulative markers, are potential novel serum markers for stratifying VTE risk in cancer patients.