ABSTRACT
Severe COVID-19 illness is associated with intense inflammation, leading to high rates of thrombotic complications that increase morbidity and mortality. Markedly elevated levels of D-dimer with normal fibrinogen levels are the hallmark laboratory findings of severe COVID-19–associated coagulopathy. Prophylaxis against venous thromboembolism is paramount for all hospitalized patients with COVID-19, with more aggressive prophylaxis and screening recommended for critically ill patients with D-dimer levels above 3.0 μg/mL. Point-of-care ultrasonography is the imaging method of choice for patients at high risk, as it entails minimal risk of exposing providers to the virus.
- Copyright © 2020 The Cleveland Clinic Foundation. All Rights Reserved.
- Simon R. Mucha, MD
- Siddharth Dugar, MD
- Keith McCrae, MD
- Douglas Joseph, DO
- John Bartholomew, MD⇑
- Cardiovascular Medicine, Cleveland Clinic; Professor, Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine of Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH
- Address:
John R. Bartholomew, MD, Cardiovascular Medicine, ST20, Cleveland Clinic, 9500 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44195; barthoj{at}ccf.org
ABSTRACT
Severe COVID-19 illness is associated with intense inflammation, leading to high rates of thrombotic complications that increase morbidity and mortality. Markedly elevated levels of D-dimer with normal fibrinogen levels are the hallmark laboratory findings of severe COVID-19–associated coagulopathy. Prophylaxis against venous thromboembolism is paramount for all hospitalized patients with COVID-19, with more aggressive prophylaxis and screening recommended for critically ill patients with D-dimer levels above 3.0 μg/mL. Point-of-care ultrasonography is the imaging method of choice for patients at high risk, as it entails minimal risk of exposing providers to the virus.
- Copyright © 2020 The Cleveland Clinic Foundation. All Rights Reserved.