Pulmonary Embolism in Hospitalized Patient with Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)

Acta Med Indones. 2021 Oct;53(4):493-496.

Abstract

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been a global pandemic for over a year. Meanwhile, thrombosis occurs in up to one-third of hospitalized patients with the disease, while pulmonary embolism has been reported to be the most dangerous thrombosis which greatly increases mortality in COVID-19.Hospitalized patients with COVID-19 are at high risk of thromboembolic complications such as deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism. The hypercoagulable state caused by COVID-19 leads to activation of coagulation cascade, meanwhile, CT pulmonary angiography is used to diagnose or exclude pulmonary embolism. Furthermore, ground-glass opacities are also evaluated using this modality. Low molecular weight heparin is the anticoagulant of choice due to simplicity in administration and low risk of drug-drug interactions.Pulmonary embolism occurs in COVID-19 patients without DVT. Based on the results, parenteral anticoagulant followed by DOAC is the mainstay of treatment in COVID-19 coagulopathy.

Keywords: COVID-19; pulmonary embolism; thrombosis.

MeSH terms

  • Anticoagulants / therapeutic use
  • COVID-19* / complications
  • Humans
  • Pulmonary Embolism* / diagnostic imaging
  • Pulmonary Embolism* / drug therapy
  • Pulmonary Embolism* / virology
  • SARS-CoV-2
  • Venous Thrombosis* / diagnostic imaging
  • Venous Thrombosis* / drug therapy
  • Venous Thrombosis* / virology

Substances

  • Anticoagulants