<\/b><\/p>\n
<\/b><\/p>\n
WEDNESDAY, April 29, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Prevention, diagnosis, and therapeutic management of thromboembolic complications in COVID-19 are discussed in a report published online April 23 in Radiology<\/i>.<\/p>\n
Matthijs Oudkerk, M.D., Ph.D., from State University of Groningen in the Netherlands, and colleagues summarized evidence for thromboembolic disease, potential diagnostic and preventive actions, and recommendations for patients with COVID-19.<\/p>\n
The researchers note that all patients with (suspected) COVID-19 admitted to the hospital should be started on prophylactic-dose low-molecular-weight heparin, irrespective of risk scores. In all patients with suspected COVID-19 who have an indication for hospital admission, a baseline noncontrast chest computed tomography (CT) scan should be considered. If a patient’s D-dimer level is elevated, CT pulmonary angiography should be considered in those with suspected COVID-19 and high clinical suspicion for pulmonary embolism (PE). Therapeutic anticoagulation is indicated if PE is confirmed. Routine D-dimer testing on admission and serially during hospital stay should be considered for prognostic stratification, with additional imaging as necessary: Prophylactic anticoagulation should be continued for patients with D-dimer <1,000 \u00b5g\/L on admission and no significant increase during follow-up; imaging for deep vein thrombosis or PE should be considered with a significant increase in D-dimer during hospital stay. Caution is warranted for patients with a strongly increased D-dimer on admission (e.g., 2,000 to 4,000 \u00b5g\/L).<\/p>\n
“This highly thrombotic syndrome leads to macro-thrombosis and embolism. Therefore, strict thrombosis prophylaxis, close laboratory, and appropriate imaging monitoring with early anti-coagulant therapy in case of suspected venous thromboembolism are indicated,” one coauthor said in a statement.<\/p>\n