Pulmonary embolism in hospitalised patients with COVID-19. 2020

Martin B Whyte, and Philip A Kelly, and Elisa Gonzalez, and Roopen Arya, and Lara N Roberts
Dept of Medicine, King's College NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK; Dept Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, UK.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is characterised by dyspnoea and abnormal coagulation parameters, including raised D-dimer. Data suggests a high incidence of pulmonary embolism (PE) in ventilated patients with COVID-19. To determine the incidence of PE in hospitalised patients with COVID-19 and the diagnostic yield of Computer Tomography Pulmonary Angiography (CTPA) for PE. We also examined the utility of D-dimer and conventional pre-test probability for diagnosis of PE in COVID-19. Retrospective review of single-centre data of all CTPA studies in patients with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 identified from Electronic Patient Records (EPR). There were 1477 patients admitted with COVID-19 and 214 CTPA scans performed, of which n = 180 (84%) were requested outside of critical care. The diagnostic yield for PE was 37%. The overall proportion of PE in patients with COVID-19 was 5.4%. The proportions with Wells score of ≥4 ('PE likely') was 33/134 (25%) without PE vs 20/80 (25%) with PE (P = 0.951). The median National Early Warning-2 (NEWS2) score (illness severity) was 5 (interquartile range [IQR] 3-9) in PE group vs 4 (IQR 2-7) in those without PE (P = 0.133). D-dimer was higher in PE (median 8000 ng/mL; IQR 4665-8000 ng/mL) than non-PE (2060 ng/mL, IQR 1210-4410 ng/mL, P < 0.001). In the 'low probability' group, D-dimer was higher (P < 0.001) in those with PE but had a limited role in excluding PE. Even outside of the critical care environment, PE in hospitalised patients with COVID-19 is common. Of note, approaching half of PE events were diagnosed on hospital admission. More data are needed to identify an optimal diagnostic pathway in patients with COVID-19. Randomised controlled trials of intensified thromboprophylaxis are urgently needed.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008297 Male Males
D008875 Middle Aged An adult aged 45 - 64 years. Middle Age
D011024 Pneumonia, Viral Inflammation of the lung parenchyma that is caused by a viral infection. Pneumonias, Viral,Viral Pneumonia,Viral Pneumonias
D011655 Pulmonary Embolism Blocking of the PULMONARY ARTERY or one of its branches by an EMBOLUS. Pulmonary Thromboembolism,Thromboembolism, Pulmonary,Embolism, Pulmonary,Embolisms, Pulmonary,Pulmonary Embolisms,Pulmonary Thromboembolisms,Thromboembolisms, Pulmonary
D001777 Blood Coagulation The process of the interaction of BLOOD COAGULATION FACTORS that results in an insoluble FIBRIN clot. Blood Clotting,Coagulation, Blood,Blood Clottings,Clotting, Blood
D005260 Female Females
D005338 Fibrin Fibrinogen Degradation Products Soluble protein fragments formed by the proteolytic action of plasmin on fibrin or fibrinogen. FDP and their complexes profoundly impair the hemostatic process and are a major cause of hemorrhage in intravascular coagulation and fibrinolysis. Antithrombin VI,Fibrin Degradation Product,Fibrin Degradation Products,Fibrin Fibrinogen Split Products,Degradation Product, Fibrin,Degradation Products, Fibrin,Product, Fibrin Degradation
D006760 Hospitalization The confinement of a patient in a hospital. Hospitalizations
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000072226 Computed Tomography Angiography A non-invasive method that uses a CT scanner for capturing images of blood vessels and tissues. A CONTRAST MATERIAL is injected, which helps produce detailed images that aid in diagnosing VASCULAR DISEASES. Angiography, CT,Angiography, Computed Tomography,CT Angiography,Angiographies, CT,Angiographies, Computed Tomography,CT Angiographies,Computed Tomography Angiographies,Tomography Angiographies, Computed,Tomography Angiography, Computed

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