COVID-19 is associated with higher risk of venous thromboembolism
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Reviewed by Dat Tien Nguyen, B.A, ScM.
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Posted on August 19th, 2022
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Despite SARS-CoV-2 having been cleared from the body, the body still suffers from many dysfunction to the respiratory, neurological, and endocrinology function. Due to the heightened state of inflammation in response to the SARS-CoV-2 virus, the body’s physiological function is thrown into disarray. A recent study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association reported that COVID-19 is associated with higher risk of venous thromboembolism.
The retrospective cohort study compare the risk of arterial thromboembolism and venous thromboembolism between those who was hospitalized due Influenza infection during the 2018-2019 season (n = 8269 patients) and those who was hospitalized due to COVID-19 at two different time periods - before and during vaccine availability (n = 41443 patients and n = 44194 patients). All three groups have similar 90-day risk of arterial thromboembolism: influenza = 14.4%, COVID-19 before vaccine availability = 15.8%, and COVID-19 after vaccine availability = 16.3%. The 90-day risk of venous thromboembolism is comparatively lower than arterial thromboembolism; however, the 90-day risk of venous thromboembolism is higher for those who was hospitalized for COVID-19 before and after vaccine availability (9.5% and 10.9%) than those who was hospitalized with Influenza (5.3%).
It is possible that during the COVID-19 infection, the endothelial cells become inflamed. Working in tandem with the antiphospholipid antibodies and enhanced platelet aggregation, the rate of coagulation is higher than normal. This elevated coagulation activity is observed only in patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 and not with Influenza.
Due to the heightened risk, health care practitioner should be aware of this while treating and assisting with the recovery of COVID-19 patients with risk factors for venous thromboembolism: older age with obesity, chronic kidney disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, heart failure and prior venous thrombotic event.
The retrospective cohort study compare the risk of arterial thromboembolism and venous thromboembolism between those who was hospitalized due Influenza infection during the 2018-2019 season (n = 8269 patients) and those who was hospitalized due to COVID-19 at two different time periods - before and during vaccine availability (n = 41443 patients and n = 44194 patients). All three groups have similar 90-day risk of arterial thromboembolism: influenza = 14.4%, COVID-19 before vaccine availability = 15.8%, and COVID-19 after vaccine availability = 16.3%. The 90-day risk of venous thromboembolism is comparatively lower than arterial thromboembolism; however, the 90-day risk of venous thromboembolism is higher for those who was hospitalized for COVID-19 before and after vaccine availability (9.5% and 10.9%) than those who was hospitalized with Influenza (5.3%).
It is possible that during the COVID-19 infection, the endothelial cells become inflamed. Working in tandem with the antiphospholipid antibodies and enhanced platelet aggregation, the rate of coagulation is higher than normal. This elevated coagulation activity is observed only in patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 and not with Influenza.
Due to the heightened risk, health care practitioner should be aware of this while treating and assisting with the recovery of COVID-19 patients with risk factors for venous thromboembolism: older age with obesity, chronic kidney disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, heart failure and prior venous thrombotic event.