Multi-Omic Candidate Screening for Markers of Severe Clinical Courses of COVID-19

BACKGROUND

Severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) disease courses are characterized by immuno-inflammatory, thrombotic, and parenchymal alterations. Prediction of individual COVID-19 disease courses to guide targeted prevention remains challenging. We hypothesized that a distinct serologic signature precedes surges of IL-6/D-dimers in severely affected COVID-19 patients.

METHODS

We performed longitudinal plasma profiling, including proteome, metabolome, and routine biochemistry, on seven seropositive, well-phenotyped patients with severe COVID-19 referred to the Intensive Care Unit at the German Heart Center. Patient characteristics were: 65 ± 8 years, 29% female, median CRP 285 ± 127 mg/dL, IL-6 367 ± 231 ng/L, D-dimers 7 ± 10 mg/L, and NT-proBNP 2616 ± 3465 ng/L.

RESULTS

Based on time-series analyses of patient sera, a prediction model employing feature selection and dimensionality reduction through least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) revealed a number of candidate proteins preceding hyperinflammatory immune response (denoted ΔIL-6) and COVID-19 coagulopathy (denoted ΔD-dimers) by 24-48 h. These candidates are involved in biological pathways such as oxidative stress/inflammation (e.g., IL-1alpha, IL-13, MMP9, C-C motif chemokine 23), coagulation/thrombosis/immunoadhesion (e.g., P- and E-selectin), tissue repair (e.g., hepatocyte growth factor), and growth factor response/regulatory pathways (e.g., tyrosine-protein kinase receptor UFO and low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR)). The latter are host- or co-receptors that promote SARS-CoV-2 entry into cells in the absence of ACE2.

CONCLUSIONS

Our novel prediction model identified biological and regulatory candidate networks preceding hyperinflammation and coagulopathy, with the most promising group being the proteins that explain changes in D-dimers. These biomarkers need validation. If causal, our work may help predict disease courses and guide personalized treatment for COVID-19.

Secondary Sclerosing Cholangitis After SARS-CoV2: ICU Ketamine Use or Virus-Specific Biliary Tropism and Injury in the Context of Biliary Ischemia in Critically Ill Patients?

Purpose

From the beginning of the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome CoronaVirus-2 (SARS-CoV2) pandemic, different cases of a cholangiopathy with features of secondary sclerosing cholangitis in critically ill patients (SSC-CIP) have been reported. Patients developing it are generally recovering from severe Coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) and required intensive care unit (ICU) admission and mechanical ventilation. Many of them have been administered with ketamine during their ICU stay. The pathogenesis of this novel disease is still debated, and, since prognosis is poor, efforts are needed in order to better understand it.

Patients and Methods

In this review, we focused our attention on COVID-19 SSC clinical, imaging, and histology findings in order to clarify the different pathogenetic options, particularly in regard of the ischemic-direct viral damage and ketamine-related theories, beginning with a recapitulation of SSC-CIP and ketamine-induced cholangiopathy in abusers. The research has been conducted using PubMed and Google Scholar databases. Key-words were "Secondary Sclerosing Cholangiopathy", "SSC-CIP", "Secondary Sclerosing Cholangiopathy in critically ill patients", "Ketamine and cholangiopathy", "Ketamine abusers and liver disease", "Ketamine-related cholangiopathy", "SARS-CoV2 infection and liver disease", "post Covid-19 secondary sclerosing cholangitis", "Covid-19 cholangiopathy".

Results

Many authors, based on the clinical, histological, imaging, and prognostic features of the disease, have pointed out the similarities between post COVID-19 SSC and SSC-CIP; however, peculiar features in the former were not previously observed. Therefore, a direct viral cytopathic action and SARS-CoV2-related coagulopathy are considered the most likely causes. On the other hand, ketamine, with the available data, cannot be surely linked as the main determinant cause of cholangiopathy. Moreover, ketamine-induced cholangitis (KIC) presentation is different from post COVID-19 SSC. Its role as a cofactor precipitating the disease cannot be ruled out.

Conclusion

Post COVID-19 SSC is a rare clinical entity following severe COVID-19 disease. The most accepted theory is that a sum of different insults determines the disease: biliary ischemia, direct viral damage, toxic bile, possibly worsened by ketamine and hyperinflammation due to the cytokine storm. Given the severe prognosis of the disease, with persistent cholangiopathy, organ failure, and orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT), further study on this novel clinical entity is needed.

COVID-19 and antiphospholipid antibodies

Antiphospholipid syndrome and the coagulopathy of COVID-19 share many pathophysiologic features, including endotheliopathy, hypercoagulability, and activation of platelets, complement pathways, and neutrophil extracellular traps, all acting in concert via a model of immunothrombosis. Antiphospholipid antibody production in COVID-19 is common, with 50% of COVID-19 patients being positive for lupus anticoagulant in some studies, and with non-Sapporo criteria antiphospholipid antibodies being prevalent as well. The biological significance of antiphospholipid antibodies in COVID-19 is uncertain, as such antibodies are usually transient, and studies examining clinical outcomes in COVID-19 patients with and without antiphospholipid antibodies have yielded conflicting results. In this review, we explore the biology of antiphospholipid antibodies in COVID-19 and other infections and discuss mechanisms of thrombogenesis in antiphospholipid syndrome and parallels with COVID-19 coagulopathy. In addition, we review the existing literature on safety of COVID-19 vaccination in patients with antiphospholipid antibodies and antiphospholipid syndrome.

Thrombosis in COVID 2022: An Updated Narrative Review of Current Literature and Inpatient Management

Early in the pandemic, it was recognized that infection with COVID-19 was associated with an increased incidence in both venous and arterial thrombotic events leading to poor patient outcomes. Given the rapid rise of the pandemic, anticoagulation strategies were initially based upon retrospective and observational data with few high-quality randomized control trials to help direct strategies regarding the use of thromboprophylaxis during hospitalization, empiric therapeutic anticoagulation, and extended-duration thromboprophylaxis after discharge. Over the past year, several randomized control trials have now been published evaluating these strategies. In this article, we hope to review the current literature surrounding the use of intermediate-dose thromboprophylaxis, empiric therapeutic anticoagulation, and the use of extended-duration thromboprophylaxis for patients hospitalized with COVID-19.

Antigens and Antibodies of the Antiphospholipid Syndrome as New Allies in the Pathogenesis of COVID-19 Coagulopathy

High prevalence of both criteria and extra-criteria antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL) has been reported in COVID-19 patients. However, the differences in aPL prevalence decreased when an age-matched control group was included. The association of aPL with thrombotic events in COVID-19 is very heterogeneous. This could be influenced by the fact that most of the studies carried out were conducted on small populations enriched with elderly patients in which aPL was measured only at a single point and they were performed with non-standardized assays. The few studies that confirmed aPL in a second measurement showed that aPL levels hardly changed, with the exception of the lupus anticoagulant that commonly reduced. COVID-19 coagulopathy is an aPL-independent phenomenon closely associated with the onset of the disease. Thrombosis occurs later in patients with aPL presence, which is likely an additional prothrombotic factor. B2-glycoprotein deficiency (mainly aPL antigen caused both by low production and consumption) is very common during the SARS-CoV2 infection and has been associated with a greater predisposition to COVID-19 complications. This could be a new prothrombotic mechanism that may be caused by the blockage of its physiological functions, the anticoagulant state being the most important.

The evolution of clot strength in critically-ill COVID-19 patients: a prospective observational thromboelastography study

BACKGROUND

Few studies detail the evolution of COVID-19 associated coagulopathy. We performed serial thromboelastography (TEG) and laboratory coagulation studies in 40 critically-ill, mechanically ventilated COVID-19 patients over a 14-day period and analysed differences between 30-day survivors and non-survivors.

METHODS

Single-center prospective, observational study including 40 patients with severe COVID-19 pneumonia admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) for mechanical ventilation. TEG analysis was performed on days 1, 7 and 14 of ICU admission and laboratory coagulation studies were performed on days 1 and 14. Coagulation variables were evaluated for change over the 14-day observation period. Differences between survivors and non-survivors at 30-days were analysed and compared.

RESULTS

On admission, TEG maximum amplitude (MA) with heparinase correction was above the upper limit of the reference range in 32 (80%) patients while 33 (82.5%) presented with absent clot lysis at 30 min. The functional fibrinogen MA was also elevated above the upper limit of the reference range in 37 (92.5%) patients. All patients had elevated D-dimer and fibrinogen levels, mildly prolonged prothrombin times (PT), normal platelet counts and normal activated partial thromboplastin times (aPTT). The heparinase MA decreased significantly with time and normalised after 14 days (p = < 0.001) while the increased fibrin contribution to clot strength persisted with time (p = 0.113). No significant differences in TEG analysis were noted between 30-day survivors and non-survivors at all time points. No patients developed disseminated intravascular coagulopathy (DIC) after 14-days, however thrombosis and bleeding were each reported in 3 (7.5%) patients.

CONCLUSION

Critically-ill patients with COVID-19 present in a hypercoagulable state characterised by an increased clot strength. This state normalises after 14 days despite a persistently increased fibrin contribution to clot strength. We were unable to demonstrate any significant differences in TEG parameters between 30-day survivors and non-survivors at all time points.

Thrombosis in COVID-19: A Narrative Review of Current Literature and Inpatient Management

COVID-19 infection has been associated with an increased incidence of thrombotic events leading to poor patient outcomes. Given the rapid rise of the COVID-19 pandemic, the ability to conduct prospective trials has been limited and data regarding the use of standard-dose versus intermediate-dose thromboprophylaxis, use of empiric therapeutic anticoagulation, and use of extended-duration thromboprophylaxis after discharge has been largely based upon observational data without any high-quality prospective data guiding their use. In this article, we will review the incidence and frequency of arterial and venous thrombotic events along with the current literature surrounding the use of intermediate-dose thromboprophylaxis, empiric therapeutic anticoagulation, and use of extended-duration thromboprophylaxis for patients hospitalized with COVID-19.

Integral Use of Thromboelastography With Platelet Mapping to Guide Appropriate Treatment, Avoid Complications, and Improve Survival of Patients With Coronavirus Disease 2019-Related Coagulopathy

OBJECTIVES

Coagulopathy of coronavirus disease 2019 is largely described as hypercoagulability, yet both thrombotic and hemorrhagic complications occur. Although therapeutic and prophylactic anticoagulant interventions have been recommended, empiric use of antifactor medications (heparin/enoxaparin) may result in hemorrhagic complications, including death. Furthermore, traditional (antifactor) anticoagulation does not address the impact of overactive platelets in coronavirus disease 2019. The primary aim was to evaluate if algorithm-guided thromboelastography with platelet mapping could better characterize an individual's coronavirus disease 2019-relatedcoagulopathic state and, secondarily, improve outcomes.

DESIGN SETTING AND PATIENTS

Coronavirus disease 2019 patients (n = 100), receiving thromboelastography with platelet mapping assay upon admission to an 800-bed tertiary-care hospital, were followed prospectively by a hospital-based thromboelastography team. Treating clinicians were provided with the option of using a pre-established algorithm for anticoagulation, including follow-up thromboelastography with platelet mapping assays. Two groups evolved: 1) patients managed by thromboelastography with platelet mapping algorithm (algorithm-guided-thromboelastography); 2) those treated without thromboelastography with platelet mapping protocols (non-algorithm-guided). Outcomes included thrombotic/hemorrhagic complications, pulmonary failure, need for mechanical ventilation, acute kidney injury, dialysis requirement, and nonsurvival.

INTERVENTIONS

Standard-of-care therapy with or without algorithm-guided-thromboelastography support.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

Although d-dimer, C-reactive protein, and ferritin were elevated significantly in critically ill (nonsurvivors, acute kidney injury, pulmonary failure), they did not distinguish between coagulopathic and noncoagulopathic patients. Platelet hyperactivity (maximum amplitude-arachidonic acid/adenosine diphosphate > 50 min), with or without thrombocytosis, was associated with thrombotic/ischemic complications, whereas severe thrombocytopenia (platelet count < 100,000/μL) was uniformly fatal. Hemorrhagic complications were observed with decreased factor activity (reaction time > 8 min). Non-algorithm-guided patients had increased risk for subsequent mechanical ventilation (relative risk = 10.9; p < 0.0001), acute kidney injury (relative risk = 2.3; p = 0.0017), dialysis (relative risk = 7.8; p < 0.0001), and death (relative risk = 7.7; p < 0.0001), with 17 of 28 non-algorithm-guided patients (60.7%) dying versus four algorithm-guided-thromboelastography patients (5.6%) (p < 0.0001). Thromboelastography with platelet mapping-guided antiplatelet treatment decreased mortality 82% (p = 0.0002), whereas non-algorithm-guided (compared with algorithm-guided-thromboelastography) use of antifactor therapy (heparin/enoxaparin) resulted in 10.3-fold increased mortality risk (p = 0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

Thromboelastography with platelet mapping better characterizes the spectrum of coronavirus disease 2019 coagulation-related abnormalities and may guide more tailored, patient-specific therapies in those infected with coronavirus disease 2019.

Incidence of venous thromboembolism in coronavirus disease 2019: An experience from a single large academic center

Background

Infection with the novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 has been associated with a hypercoagulable state. Emerging data from China and Europe have consistently shown an increased incidence of venous thromboembolism (VTE). We aimed to identify the VTE incidence and early predictors of VTE at our high-volume tertiary care center.

Methods

We performed a retrospective cohort study of 147 patients who had been admitted to Temple University Hospital with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) from April 1, 2020 to April 27, 2020. We first identified the VTE (pulmonary embolism [PE] and deep vein thrombosis [DVT]) incidence in our cohort. The VTE and no-VTE groups were compared by univariable analysis for demographics, comorbidities, laboratory data, and treatment outcomes. Subsequently, multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to identify the early predictors of VTE.

Results

The 147 patients (20.9% of all admissions) admitted to a designated COVID-19 unit at Temple University Hospital with a high clinical suspicion of acute VTE had undergone testing for VTE using computed tomography pulmonary angiography and/or extremity venous duplex ultrasonography. The overall incidence of VTE was 17% (25 of 147). Of the 25 patients, 16 had had acute PE, 14 had had acute DVT, and 5 had had both PE and DVT. The need for invasive mechanical ventilation (adjusted odds ratio, 3.19; 95% confidence interval, 1.07-9.55) and the admission D-dimer level ≥1500 ng/mL (adjusted odds ratio, 3.55; 95% confidence interval, 1.29-9.78) were independent markers associated with VTE. The all-cause mortality in the VTE group was greater than that in the non-VTE group (48% vs 22%; P = .007).

Conclusions

Our study represents one of the earliest reported from the United States on the incidence rate of VTE in patients with COVID-19. Patients with a high clinical suspicion and the identified risk factors (invasive mechanical ventilation, admission D-dimer level ≥1500 ng/mL) should be considered for early VTE testing. We did not screen all patients admitted for VTE; therefore, the true incidence of VTE could have been underestimated. Our findings require confirmation in future prospective studies.

Intensity of anticoagulation and survival in patients hospitalized with COVID-19 pneumonia

BACKGROUND

SARS-CoV-2 infection has noted derangements in coagulation markers along with significant thrombotic complications. Post-mortem examinations show severe endothelial injury and widespread thrombotic microangiopathy in the pulmonary vasculature. Early reports describing the use of prophylactic anticoagulation demonstrated improved survival, leading to the adoption of prophylactic and therapeutic anticoagulation guided by D-dimer levels. The clinical usefulness of D-dimer values, trends, and more intensive anticoagulation remains an area of clinical interest.

OBJECTIVES

Assess the outcomes and laboratory trends in COVID-19 patients stratified by intensity of anticoagulation at time of admission.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Retrospectively review the differences in clinical outcomes and laboratory trends in patients hospitalized with COVID-19 in the Lifespan Health System.

RESULTS

Between 27 February and 24 April 2020, 468 patients were hospitalized. Initial use of high-intensity thromboprophylaxis was associated with improved 30-day mortality (adjusted RR 0.26; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.07-0.97; p = 0.045) without a significant increased rate of bleeding (p = 0.11). In severe COVID-19, D-dimer significantly increased during hospitalization with standard thromboprophylaxis (p < 0.001) but remained stable or decreased with high-intensity prophylaxis or therapeutic anticoagulation.

CONCLUSION

Patients who received high-intensity prophylactic anticoagulation had a downtrend in D-dimer levels and improved 30-day mortality. This suggests a role in anticoagulation in mitigating adverse outcomes associated with COVID-19; however, further randomized, prospective studies are needed.

Rehabilitative of COVID-19 patients with acute lower extremity Ischemia and amputation

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the clinical characteristics and rehabilitation management of patients who undergo amputation for COVID-19-associated coagulopathy.

METHODS

Clinical and laboratory data for 3 patients were analysed and their rehabilitative management discussed.

RESULTS

The medical records of 3 patients who had undergone amputation due to acute lower extremity ischaemia and who were provided with rehabilitation in our COVID-19 unit were reviewed.

CONCLUSION

Coagulation changes related to SARS-CoV-2 may complicate recovery from this devastating disease. The rehabilitation management of amputated patients for COVID-19 acute lower extremity ischaemia is based on a multilevel approach for clinical, functional, nutritional and neuropsychological needs. Based on this limited experience, a dedicated programme for this specific group of patients seems advantageous to warrant the best functional outcome and quality of life.