Blood Res.  2021 Jun;56(2):61-64. 10.5045/br.2021.2021011.

Association of hypercoagulation with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection

• Nuthalapati P
• Ghanta MK
• Natesh NS
• L.V.K.S. B

• KMID: 2517001
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5045/br.2021.2021011

Abstract

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has emerged as a major threat to all healthcare systems across the globe, and it was declared a public health emergency of international concern by the World Health Organization (WHO). The novel coronavirus affects the respiratory system, producing symptoms such as fever, cough, dyspnea, and pneumonia. The association between COVID-19 and coagulation has been previously reported. Due to several inflammatory changes that occur in severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infections such as alterations in the levels of clotting factors, platelet activation leads to thrombus formation in coronary and cerebral vessels, leading to myocardial infarction and cerebrovascular accidents, respectively. Unfortunately, the progression of hypercoagulability in COVID-19 is rapid in patients with and without comorbidities. Hence, the proper monitoring of thrombotic complications in patients with COVID-19 is essential to avoid further complications. The implementation of guidelines for antithrombotic treatments based on the presentation of the disease is recommended. This review discusses the symptoms and mechanisms of upregulated coagulation in patients with COVID-19.

Keyword

COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; Hypercoagulation; Thrombosis; Stroke; D-dimer

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Suggested pathways of hypercoagulation by SARS-CoV-2. Abbreviations: ACE2, angiotensin converting enzyme 2; HIF agents, hypoxia-inducible factors.

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