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Guidance on diagnosis, prevention and treatment of thromboembolic complications in COVID-19: a position paper of the Brazilian Society of Thrombosis and Hemostasis and the Thrombosis and Hemostasis Committee of the Brazilian Association of Hematology, Hemotherapy and Cellular Therapy

ABSTRACT

Hemostatic abnormalities and thrombotic risk associated with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) are among the most discussed topics in the management of this disease. The aim of this position paper is to provide the opinion of Brazilian experts on the thromboprophylaxis and management of thrombotic events in patients with suspected COVID-19, in the sphere of healthcare in Brazil. To do so, the Brazilian Society of Thrombosis and Hemostasis (BSTH) and the Thrombosis and Hemostasis Committee of the Brazilian Association of Hematology, Hemotherapy and Cellular Therapy (ABHH) have constituted a panel of experts to carefully review and discuss the available evidence about this topic. The data discussed in this document was reviewed by May 9, 2020. Recommendations and suggestions reflect the opinion of the panel and should be reviewed periodically as new evidence emerges.

Keywords:
Venous thromboembolism; Coronavirus disease 2019; Coagulopathy; Prevention; Treatment

Introduction

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19), previously known as 2019 novel coronavirus, is an acute respiratory infection caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), initially identified in China at the end of 2019.11 Zhu N, Zhang D, Wang W, Li X, Yang B, Song J, et al. A novel coronavirus from patients with pneumonia in China, 2019. N Engl J Med. 2020;382(8):727-33. In Brazil, COVID-19 had been diagnosed in more than 150,000 patients and caused more than 10,000 deaths by May 9, 2020, according to official data from the Brazilian Ministry of Health.22 Painel de casos de doenças pelo coronavirus (COVID-19) no Brasil. Ministerio da Saude do Brasil; 2020. Available from: https://covid.saude.gov.br/
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During the COVID-19 outbreak in China, it was observed that approximately 80% of the patients had mild to moderate upper respiratory tract symptoms, 13.8% had severe disease (dyspnea, tachypnea, and hypoxia), which required hospitalization, and 6.1% developed critical symptoms (respiratory failure, septic shock or multiple organ dysfunction) that required treatment in an intensive care unit (ICU).33 Report of the WHO-China Joint Mission on Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). World Health Organization; 2020. Available from: https://who.int/docs/default-source/coronaviruse/who-china-joint-mission-on-covid-19-final-report.pdf
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Severe symptoms usually appeared after approximately 7–8 days from the onset of the disease and progression to critical COVID-19 usually occurred after the 11th day of symptoms.44 Huang C, Wang Y, Li X, Ren L, Zhao J, Hu Y, et al. Clinical features of patients infected with 2019 novel coronavirus in Wuhan, China. Lancet. 2020;395(10223):497-506.,55 Wolfel R, Corman VM, Guggemos W, Seilmaier M, Zange S, Muller MA, et al. Virological assessment of hospitalized patients with COVID-2019. Nature. 2020, http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41586-020-2196-x. PubMed PMID:32235945.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41586-020-219...

The pathogenesis of COVID-19 is related to both the invasion of lung epithelial cells by SARS-CoV-2 and the host immune reaction against the virus.66 Zhou F, Yu T, Du R, Fan G, Liu Y, Liu Z, et al. Clinical course and risk factors for mortality of adult inpatients with COVID-19 in Wuhan, China: a retrospective cohort study. Lancet. 2020;395(10229):1054-62. PubMed PMID: 32171076. Uncontrolled systemic inflammatory response, resulting from the release of large amounts of pro-inflammatory cytokines is one of the hallmarks of the severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and multiple organ failure, the two main causes of death by COVID-19.66 Zhou F, Yu T, Du R, Fan G, Liu Y, Liu Z, et al. Clinical course and risk factors for mortality of adult inpatients with COVID-19 in Wuhan, China: a retrospective cohort study. Lancet. 2020;395(10229):1054-62. PubMed PMID: 32171076. Besides inflammation, COVID-19 patients may present with signs of hypercoagulability, characterized by pronounced elevation of fibrinogen levels and D-dimers, and may develop disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) at late stages of the disease.77 Helms J, Tacquard C, Severac F, Leonard-Lorant I, Ohana M, Delabranche X, et al. High risk of thrombosis in patients with severe SARS-CoV-2 infection: a multicenter prospective cohort study. Intensive Care Med. 2020, http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00134-020-06062-x. PubMed PMID:32367170; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC7197634.
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,88 Tang N, Li D, Wang X, Sun Z. Abnormal coagulation parameters are associated with poor prognosis in patients with novel coronavirus pneumonia. J Thromb Haemost. 2020;18(4):844-7. PubMed PMID: 32073213; PubMed CentralPMCID: PMC7166509. Increased D-dimer levels and the diagnosis of DIC are associated with a poor prognosis and death.88 Tang N, Li D, Wang X, Sun Z. Abnormal coagulation parameters are associated with poor prognosis in patients with novel coronavirus pneumonia. J Thromb Haemost. 2020;18(4):844-7. PubMed PMID: 32073213; PubMed CentralPMCID: PMC7166509. Moreover, mounting evidence confirms that the incidence of arterial and venous thrombosis is increased in COVID-19 and that thrombotic events are associated with higher mortality.77 Helms J, Tacquard C, Severac F, Leonard-Lorant I, Ohana M, Delabranche X, et al. High risk of thrombosis in patients with severe SARS-CoV-2 infection: a multicenter prospective cohort study. Intensive Care Med. 2020, http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00134-020-06062-x. PubMed PMID:32367170; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC7197634.
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Therefore, the prevention of thrombosis is an essential part of the clinical management of these patients.

Overview of the evidence and use of this document

COVID-19 is a new disease with an unprecedented impact on public health. Accordingly, an impressive amount of information is being incorporated in the medical literature, with heterogeneous quality and unknown generalizability. At the same time, clinical dilemmas involving the management of patients increased the expectation of practicing physicians for guidance from trusted sources.99 Berwick DM. Choices for the “New Normal”. JAMA. 2020, http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/jama.2020.6949. PubMed PMID:32364589.
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COVID-19-associated hemostatic abnormalities and thrombotic risk are among the most discussed topics in medical care of these patients and have raised several questions regarding optimal clinical management.1010 Bikdeli B, Madhavan MV, Jimenez D, Chuich T, Dreyfus I, Driggin E, et al. COVID-19 and thrombotic or thromboembolic disease: implications for prevention, antithrombotic therapy, and follow-up. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2020, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jacc.2020.04.031. PubMed PMID:32311448; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC7164881.
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1313 Connors JM, Levy JH. COVID-19 and its implications for thrombosis and anticoagulation. Blood. 2020, http://dx.doi.org/10.1182/blood.2020006000. PubMed PMID:32339221.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1182/blood.20200060...

Currently, due to the lack of high-quality studies and to the rapidly evolving literature, it is not possible to organize a formal medical guideline for these topics. However, we believe that providing the opinion of a panel of experts based on a careful and balanced review of the available evidence would be useful to the medical community in Brazil. Furthermore, healthcare in Brazil and available resources is rather heterogeneous and certainly differs from the reality in other countries, where other guidance papers are being published.1010 Bikdeli B, Madhavan MV, Jimenez D, Chuich T, Dreyfus I, Driggin E, et al. COVID-19 and thrombotic or thromboembolic disease: implications for prevention, antithrombotic therapy, and follow-up. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2020, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jacc.2020.04.031. PubMed PMID:32311448; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC7164881.
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,1414 The ASH COVID Resources. American Society of Hematology; 2020. Available from: https://www.hematology.org/covid-19/covid-19-and-coagulopathy
https://www.hematology.org/covid-19/covi...
1616 Hunt B, Retter A, McClintock C. Practical guidance for the prevention of thrombosis and management of coagulopathy and disseminated intravascular coagulation of patients infected with COVID-19. Thrombosis UK; 2020. Available from: https://thrombosisuk.org/covid-19-thrombosis.php
https://thrombosisuk.org/covid-19-thromb...

In this context, the Brazilian Society of Thrombosis and Hemostasis (BSTH) and the Thrombosis and Hemostasis Committee of the Brazilian Association of Hematology, Hemotherapy and Cellular Therapy (ABHH) have constituted a panel of experts to discuss the current evidence available on the thromboprophylaxis and management of thrombotic events in patients with suspected COVID-19, in the sphere of healthcare in Brazil. The data discussed in this document was reviewed by May 9, 2020. Recommendations and suggestions reflect the opinion of the panel and should be reviewed periodically as new evidence emerges.

Role of disseminated intravascular coagulopathy in COVID-19

The host response to pathogens and sepsis involves the activation of multiple systems among which are innate immunity and hemostasis. Both systems have been shown to contribute to pathogen eradication by facilitating the access and the microbicidal function of phagocytes.1717 Fiusa MM, Carvalho-Filho MA, Annichino-Bizzacchi JM, De Paula EV. Causes and consequences of coagulation activation in sepsis: an evolutionary medicine perspective. BMC Med. 2015;13:105. PubMed PMID: 25943883; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC4422540. However, deregulation and/or loss of localization of this so-called immunothrombotic response can lead to secondary damage mediated by thrombus formation.1818 Engelmann B, Massberg S. Thrombosis as an intravascular effector of innate immunity. Nat Rev Immunol. 2013;13(1):34-45. Accordingly, laboratory alterations consistent with the activation of hemostasis and fibrinolysis, such as increased levels of D-dimer, prolongation of the prothrombin time (PT), high fibrinogen levels, as well as consumption of platelets and fibrinogen in more severe cases, can be observed in the course of several infections and should be regarded as part of the host response to pathogens.1919 Gando S, Levi M, Toh CH. Disseminated intravascular coagulation. Nat Rev Dis Prim. 2016;2:16037. PubMed PMID:27250996. This is particularly evident in COVID-19 patients, in whom increased D-dimer levels (which parallel the increase of IL-6) has been identified as an independent marker of severity.66 Zhou F, Yu T, Du R, Fan G, Liu Y, Liu Z, et al. Clinical course and risk factors for mortality of adult inpatients with COVID-19 in Wuhan, China: a retrospective cohort study. Lancet. 2020;395(10229):1054-62. PubMed PMID: 32171076. In fact, the association between increased D-dimer levels and poor prognosis has also been described in other forms of sepsis and pneumonia.2020 Bakhtiari K, Meijers JC, de Jonge E, Levi M. Prospective validation of the International Society of Thrombosis and Haemostasis scoring system for disseminated intravascular coagulation. Crit Care Med. 2004;32(12):2416-21. PubMedPMID: 15599145.,2121 Dhainaut JF, Shorr AF, Macias WL, Kollef MJ, Levi M, Reinhart K, et al. Dynamic evolution of coagulopathy in the first day of severe sepsis: relationship with mortality and organ failure. Crit Care Med. 2005;33(2):341-8.

Of note, in a recent comparison of D-dimer levels between COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 pneumonia patients in China, similar levels were observed in both conditions.2222 Yin S, Huang M, Li D, Tang N. Difference of coagulation features between severe pneumonia induced by SARS-CoV2 and non-SARS-CoV2. J Thromb Thrombolys. 2020, http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11239-020-02105-8. PubMed PMID:32246317; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC7124128.
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Similarly, the accumulation of fibrin in alveolar spaces and even the formation of microvascular thrombosis described in COVID-19, which has raised questions on whether anticoagulants should be used in higher doses in these patients, is also part of immunothrombosis and has been described in other forms of ARDS.2323 Greene R, Lind S, Jantsch H, Wilson R, Lynch K, Jones R, et al. Pulmonary vascular obstruction in severe ARDS: angiographic alterations after i.v. fibrinolytic therapy. Am J Roentgenol. 1987;148(3):501-8. PubMed PMID: 3492876.,2424 Pfeiler S, Massberg S, Engelmann B. Biological basis and pathological relevance of microvascular thrombosis. Thromb Res. 2014;133(Suppl. 1):S35-7. PubMed PMID: 24759139. Moreover, the use of several anticoagulant molecules was not capable of improving the outcome of sepsis in these patients.2121 Dhainaut JF, Shorr AF, Macias WL, Kollef MJ, Levi M, Reinhart K, et al. Dynamic evolution of coagulopathy in the first day of severe sepsis: relationship with mortality and organ failure. Crit Care Med. 2005;33(2):341-8.,2525 Abraham E, Reinhart K, Opal S, Demeyer I, Doig C, Rodriguez AL, et al. Efficacy and safety of tifacogin (recombinant tissue factor pathway inhibitor) in severe sepsis: a randomized controlled trial. JAMA. 2003;290(2):238-47. PubMed PMID:12851279.2727 Zarychanski R, Abou-Setta AM, Kanji S, Turgeon AF, Kumar A, Houston DS, et al. The efficacy and safety of heparin in patients with sepsis: a systematic review and metaanalysis. Crit Care Med. 2015;43(3):511-8. PubMed PMID: 25493972.

Therefore, until the benefit of using therapeutic doses of anticoagulants in patients with COVID-19 based solely on D-dimer levels (i.e., in the absence of highly suspected or proven venous thromboembolism [VTE]) is demonstrated by randomized clinical trials, the use of anticoagulants in COVID-19 should be restricted to prophylaxis of VTE or the treatment of confirmed VTE events. These include deep venous thrombosis (DVT) (both symptomatic and asymptomatic, detected by screening methods), pulmonary embolism (PE) and catheter-associated thrombosis.

Monitoring of coagulopathy

Hypercoagulability in COVID-19 is characterized by increased levels of fibrinogen and D-dimers, prolonged PT and activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), mild thrombocytopenia (100–150 × 109/L), elevated levels of factor VIII (FVIII) and Von Willebrand factor (VWF).44 Huang C, Wang Y, Li X, Ren L, Zhao J, Hu Y, et al. Clinical features of patients infected with 2019 novel coronavirus in Wuhan, China. Lancet. 2020;395(10223):497-506.,66 Zhou F, Yu T, Du R, Fan G, Liu Y, Liu Z, et al. Clinical course and risk factors for mortality of adult inpatients with COVID-19 in Wuhan, China: a retrospective cohort study. Lancet. 2020;395(10229):1054-62. PubMed PMID: 32171076.,2626 Ranieri VM, Thompson BT, Barie PS, Dhainaut JF, Douglas IS, Finfer S, et al. Drotrecogin alfa (activated) in adults with septic shock. N Engl J Med. 2012;366(22):2055-64. PubMedPMID: 22616830.,2828 Wu C, Chen X, Cai Y, Xia J, Zhou X, Xu S, et al. Risk factors associated with acute respiratory distress syndrome and death in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 pneumonia in Wuhan, China. JAMA Int Med. 2020, http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/jamainternmed.2020.0994. PubMedPMID: 32167524; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC7070509.
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3030 Gao Y, Li T, Han M, Li X, Wu D, Xu Y, et al. Diagnostic utility of clinical laboratory data determinations for patients with the severe COVID-19. J Med Virol. 2020, http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/jmv.25770. PubMed PMID: 32181911.31.
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In addition, signs of DIC have been reported in late stages of severe COVID-19.66 Zhou F, Yu T, Du R, Fan G, Liu Y, Liu Z, et al. Clinical course and risk factors for mortality of adult inpatients with COVID-19 in Wuhan, China: a retrospective cohort study. Lancet. 2020;395(10229):1054-62. PubMed PMID: 32171076.88 Tang N, Li D, Wang X, Sun Z. Abnormal coagulation parameters are associated with poor prognosis in patients with novel coronavirus pneumonia. J Thromb Haemost. 2020;18(4):844-7. PubMed PMID: 32073213; PubMed CentralPMCID: PMC7166509.

D-dimer levels are particularly high in critically ill patients in the ICU44 Huang C, Wang Y, Li X, Ren L, Zhao J, Hu Y, et al. Clinical features of patients infected with 2019 novel coronavirus in Wuhan, China. Lancet. 2020;395(10223):497-506.,2929 Wang D, Hu B, Hu C, Zhu F, Liu X, Zhang J, et al. Clinical characteristics of 138 hospitalized patients with 2019 novel coronavirus-infected pneumonia in Wuhan, China. JAMA. 2020, http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/jama.2020.1585. PubMed PMID:32031570; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC7042881.
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and among non-survivors,66 Zhou F, Yu T, Du R, Fan G, Liu Y, Liu Z, et al. Clinical course and risk factors for mortality of adult inpatients with COVID-19 in Wuhan, China: a retrospective cohort study. Lancet. 2020;395(10229):1054-62. PubMed PMID: 32171076. which suggests that D-dimer is a prognostic marker in COVID-19 and testing for it should be initially performed in all hospitalized patients. The association between increased D-dimers and severe COVID-19 may in part be explained by the above-mentioned interplay between inflammatory response and activation of coagulation. From that perspective, D-dimer levels can represent a surrogate marker for COVID-19 severity.88 Tang N, Li D, Wang X, Sun Z. Abnormal coagulation parameters are associated with poor prognosis in patients with novel coronavirus pneumonia. J Thromb Haemost. 2020;18(4):844-7. PubMed PMID: 32073213; PubMed CentralPMCID: PMC7166509.

This is not novel, as some authors have used an elevated D-dimer as part of as a scoring system to identify those at increased risk for VTE.3131 Spyropoulos AC, Lipardi C, Xu J, Peluso C, Spiro TE, De Sanctis Y, et al. Modified IMPROVE VTE risk score and elevated D-dimer identify a high venous thromboembolism risk in acutely ill medical population for extended thromboprophylaxis. TH Open. 2020;4(1):e59-65. PubMedPMID: 32190813; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC7069762. Additionally, a recent Brazilian study showed that elevated D-dimer levels is common in viral infections in our country, such as Zika Virus and Chikungunya, which may be associated with an increase in the risk of thromboembolism.3232 Ramacciotti E, Agati LB, Aguiar VCR, Wolosker N, Guerra JC, de Almeida RP, et al. Zika and chikungunya virus and risk for venous thromboembolism. Clin Appl Thromb/Hem. 2019;25, http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1076029618821184. PubMed PMID:30808213; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC6714924.
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Lastly, D-dimers are elevated in the elderly, individuals with comorbidities, such as infection, inflammation, cancer, and the hospitalized patients. Nevertheless, to date, there is no validated cut-off value for D-dimer to guide changes in the management of anticoagulation in COVID-19 patients.

Therefore, considering the clinical impact of hypercoagulability in COVID-19, analysis of peripheral blood smear, platelet count, PT, aPTT, fibrinogen and D-dimer levels is recommended for all hospitalized patients. These parameters should be regularly monitored in critically ill patients. Increasing trends of D-dimer and other clinical variables, such as levels of oxygenation and ventilator parameters and possibly imaging studies, whenever feasible, must be jointly considered toward the suspicion of thrombotic events and the need for full anticoagulation. The most adequate time interval between tests is uncertain and testing should be based on clinical indication, assays availability and the local laboratory capacity and facilities.

Systematic venous thromboembolism assessment

The reported in-hospital cumulative incidence of VTE in COVID-19 patients ranges from 8 to 69%,77 Helms J, Tacquard C, Severac F, Leonard-Lorant I, Ohana M, Delabranche X, et al. High risk of thrombosis in patients with severe SARS-CoV-2 infection: a multicenter prospective cohort study. Intensive Care Med. 2020, http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00134-020-06062-x. PubMed PMID:32367170; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC7197634.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00134-020-060...
,3333 Lodigiani C, Iapichino G, Carenzo L, Cecconi M, Ferrazzi P, Sebastian T, et al. Venous and arterial thromboembolic complications in COVID-19 patients admitted to an academic hospital in Milan, Italy. Thromb Res. 2020;191:9-14. PubMedPMID: 32353746; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC7177070.3636 Llitjos JF, Leclerc M, Chochois C, Monsallier JM, Ramakers M, Auvray M, et al. High incidence of venous thromboembolic events in anticoagulated severe COVID-19 patients. J Thromb Haemost. 2020, http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/jth.14869. PubMedPMID: 32320517.
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with the highest incidence among patients in the ICU. Discrepancies in VTE incidence among studies can be attributed to differences in population, disease severity, strategies of thromboprophylaxis and practices regarding the performance of imaging tests. It is noteworthy that about half of the VTE patients were asymptomatic in one cohort from the Netherlands3535 Middeldorp S, Coppens M, van Haaps TF, Foppen M, Vlaar AP, Muller MCA, et al. Incidence of venous thromboembolism in hospitalized patients with COVID-19. J Thromb Haemost. 2020, http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/jth.14888. PubMed PMID:32369666.
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and the highest incidence of VTE (69%) was reported by a French study in which systematic ultrasounds were performed.3636 Llitjos JF, Leclerc M, Chochois C, Monsallier JM, Ramakers M, Auvray M, et al. High incidence of venous thromboembolic events in anticoagulated severe COVID-19 patients. J Thromb Haemost. 2020, http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/jth.14869. PubMedPMID: 32320517.
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Based on concerns of the increased risk of VTE and the importance of early VTE detection, some experts and medical societies have recommended screening for DVT in COVID-19 patients in the ICU at admission and every 4–5 days thereafter.1212 Marietta M, Ageno W, Artoni A, De Candia E, Gresele P, Marchetti M, et al. COVID-19 and haemostasis: a position paper from Italian Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis (SISET). Blood Transfusion = Trasfusione del sangue. 2020, http://dx.doi.org/10.2450/2020.0083-20. PubMed PMID:32281926.
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,3535 Middeldorp S, Coppens M, van Haaps TF, Foppen M, Vlaar AP, Muller MCA, et al. Incidence of venous thromboembolism in hospitalized patients with COVID-19. J Thromb Haemost. 2020, http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/jth.14888. PubMed PMID:32369666.
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In this context, duplex scan is the imaging test of choice because it is easy to perform and almost risk-free. Furthermore, it can be performed at bedside, without the need to remove the patient from the ICU. Special attention should be given to avoid exposure of the medical team while performing the tests and to prevent unnecessary transport of more severe patients out of the isolation units.

Thus, we suggest performing venous compression Duplex scan in ICU patients at admission and then at regular intervals (ideally every 4–5 days), whenever available or guided by clinical suspicion, to detect DVT and to prevent its complications. We also suggest maintaining vigilance for clinical and echocardiographic signs of PE,3737 Squizzato A, Galli L, Gerdes VE. Point-of-care ultrasound in the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism. Crit Ultrasound J. 2015;7:7. PubMed PMID: 26034556; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC4447771. given that PE seems to be more frequent than DVT in COVID-19 patients. Routine screening for VTE in hospitalized patients with COVID-19, solely based on elevated D-Dimer, cannot be recommended at this point.

Prophylaxis of venous thromboembolism

Indication of thromboprophylaxis

Risk-assessment of VTE is recommended for all surgical and medical patients admitted to a hospital and those with acute respiratory and infectious diseases are at high risk of hospital-associated VTE, according to international guidelines.3838 Kahn SR, Lim W, Dunn AS, Cushman M, Dentali F, Akl EA, et al. Prevention of VTE in nonsurgical patients: antithrombotic therapy and prevention of thrombosis, 9th ed: American College of Chest Physicians Evidence-Based Clinical Practice Guidelines. Chest. 2012;141(2 Suppl.):e195S-e226S. PubMed PMID: 22315261; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC3278052.4040 Venous thromboembolism in over 16s: reducing the risk of hospital-acquired deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism. National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence 2018. Available from: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng89.
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Several Brazilian hospitals have implemented systematic VTE risk-assessment protocols to the routine medical care as part of quality improvement measures and different VTE risk-assessment tools are available, such as IMPROVE score,4141 Rosenberg D, Eichorn A, Alarcon M, McCullagh L, McGinn T, Spyropoulos AC. External validation of the risk assessment model of the International Medical Prevention Registry on Venous Thromboembolism (IMPROVE) for medical patients in a tertiary health system. J Am Heart Assoc. 2014;3(6):e001152. PubMed PMID: 25404191; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC4338701. the Brazilian Guideline for VTE Prophylaxis,4242 Rocha AT, PaivaII EF, Bernardo WM. Atualização em tromboembolismo venoso: profilaxia em pacientes clínicos. Rev Assoc Med Bras. 2009;55(4):363-81. the Caprini score4343 Caprini JA. Thrombosis risk assessment as a guide to quality patient care. Disease-a-month: DM. 2005;51(2–3):70-8. and the Padua score.4444 Barbar S, Noventa F, Rossetto V, Ferrari A, Brandolin B, Perlati M, et al. A risk assessment model for the identification of hospitalized medical patients at risk for venous thromboembolism: the Padua Prediction Score. J Thromb Haemost. 2010;8(11):2450-7.

However, the risk of hospital-associated VTE seems to be higher in hospitalized patients with COVID-19 than in other medical patients.77 Helms J, Tacquard C, Severac F, Leonard-Lorant I, Ohana M, Delabranche X, et al. High risk of thrombosis in patients with severe SARS-CoV-2 infection: a multicenter prospective cohort study. Intensive Care Med. 2020, http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00134-020-06062-x. PubMed PMID:32367170; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC7197634.
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It was demonstrated that 40% of patients hospitalized for COVID-19 (407/1026) present with a high Padua score (greater than or equal to 4) upon admission4545 Wang T, Chen R, Liu C, Liang W, Guan W, Tang R, et al. Attention should be paid to venous thromboembolism prophylaxis in the management of COVID-19. Lancet Haematol. 2020;7(5):e362-3. PubMed PMID: 32278361; PubMedCentral PMCID: PMC7158946. and without thromboprophylaxis a great proportion of patients may develop VTE, as shown in a Chinese cohort of severe COVID-19 pneumonia in which 25% of the patients had DVT of the lower limbs during hospitalization.4646 Cui S, Chen S, Li X, Liu S, Wang F. Prevalence of venous thromboembolism in patients with severe novel coronavirus pneumonia. J Thromb Haemost. 2020, http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/jth.14830. PubMed PMID: 32271988.
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These observations suggest that the risk for thrombosis in COVID-19 is a result not only of respiratory distress and acute infectious disease, but also of the disease associated coagulopathy.

Despite the highest risk of thrombosis being reported among patients in the ICU, a high incidence of VTE has also been observed in those admitted to general wards.3333 Lodigiani C, Iapichino G, Carenzo L, Cecconi M, Ferrazzi P, Sebastian T, et al. Venous and arterial thromboembolic complications in COVID-19 patients admitted to an academic hospital in Milan, Italy. Thromb Res. 2020;191:9-14. PubMedPMID: 32353746; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC7177070.,3535 Middeldorp S, Coppens M, van Haaps TF, Foppen M, Vlaar AP, Muller MCA, et al. Incidence of venous thromboembolism in hospitalized patients with COVID-19. J Thromb Haemost. 2020, http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/jth.14888. PubMed PMID:32369666.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/jth.14888...
The reported cumulative incidence of VTE in patients with COVID-19 during hospitalization in general wards ranges from 6% to 9%,3333 Lodigiani C, Iapichino G, Carenzo L, Cecconi M, Ferrazzi P, Sebastian T, et al. Venous and arterial thromboembolic complications in COVID-19 patients admitted to an academic hospital in Milan, Italy. Thromb Res. 2020;191:9-14. PubMedPMID: 32353746; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC7177070.,3535 Middeldorp S, Coppens M, van Haaps TF, Foppen M, Vlaar AP, Muller MCA, et al. Incidence of venous thromboembolism in hospitalized patients with COVID-19. J Thromb Haemost. 2020, http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/jth.14888. PubMed PMID:32369666.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/jth.14888...
of which half of the thrombotic events have been diagnosed in the first 24 h of hospitalization3333 Lodigiani C, Iapichino G, Carenzo L, Cecconi M, Ferrazzi P, Sebastian T, et al. Venous and arterial thromboembolic complications in COVID-19 patients admitted to an academic hospital in Milan, Italy. Thromb Res. 2020;191:9-14. PubMedPMID: 32353746; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC7177070. and 56% of the patients were not receiving thromboprophylaxis.3333 Lodigiani C, Iapichino G, Carenzo L, Cecconi M, Ferrazzi P, Sebastian T, et al. Venous and arterial thromboembolic complications in COVID-19 patients admitted to an academic hospital in Milan, Italy. Thromb Res. 2020;191:9-14. PubMedPMID: 32353746; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC7177070. Moreover, VTE was independently associated with death (hazard ratio (HR) of death, adjusted for age, sex and ICU stay, 2.4; 95% CI, 1.02–5.5) in a Dutch cohort.3535 Middeldorp S, Coppens M, van Haaps TF, Foppen M, Vlaar AP, Muller MCA, et al. Incidence of venous thromboembolism in hospitalized patients with COVID-19. J Thromb Haemost. 2020, http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/jth.14888. PubMed PMID:32369666.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/jth.14888...

Therefore, we recommend that all patients hospitalized for suspected or confirmed COVID-19 should receive pharmacologic thromboprophylaxis, in the absence of absolute contraindications. We suggest the use of low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) due to the ease of use and once daily dosing regimen. Alternatively, unfractionated heparin (UFH) or fondaparinux (particularly for patients with heparin-induced thrombocytopenia) can be given for thromboprophylaxis. In case a pharmacologic thromboprophylaxis is contraindicated, mechanical prophylaxis should be used as an alternative. Table 1 contains the contraindications for pharmacologic thromboprophylaxis in hospitalized medical patients.

Table 1
Risk factors for bleeding that contraindicate pharmacologic thromboprophylaxis.

Dose of anticoagulation for prophylaxis

Among severe COVID-19 patients admitted to ICU, the cumulative incidence of in-hospital thrombotic events ranges from 40 to 60%,77 Helms J, Tacquard C, Severac F, Leonard-Lorant I, Ohana M, Delabranche X, et al. High risk of thrombosis in patients with severe SARS-CoV-2 infection: a multicenter prospective cohort study. Intensive Care Med. 2020, http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00134-020-06062-x. PubMed PMID:32367170; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC7197634.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00134-020-060...
,3434 Klok FA, Kruip M, van der Meer NJM, Arbous MS, Gommers D, Kant KM, et al. Confirmation of the high cumulative incidence of thrombotic complications in critically ill ICU patients with COVID-19: an updated analysis. Thromb Res. 2020, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.thromres.2020.04.041. PubMedPMID: 32381264; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC7192101.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.thromres.202...
3636 Llitjos JF, Leclerc M, Chochois C, Monsallier JM, Ramakers M, Auvray M, et al. High incidence of venous thromboembolic events in anticoagulated severe COVID-19 patients. J Thromb Haemost. 2020, http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/jth.14869. PubMedPMID: 32320517.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/jth.14869...
despite the use of pharmacologic thromboprophylaxis. The most frequently diagnosed thrombotic complication has been PE.77 Helms J, Tacquard C, Severac F, Leonard-Lorant I, Ohana M, Delabranche X, et al. High risk of thrombosis in patients with severe SARS-CoV-2 infection: a multicenter prospective cohort study. Intensive Care Med. 2020, http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00134-020-06062-x. PubMed PMID:32367170; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC7197634.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00134-020-060...
,3333 Lodigiani C, Iapichino G, Carenzo L, Cecconi M, Ferrazzi P, Sebastian T, et al. Venous and arterial thromboembolic complications in COVID-19 patients admitted to an academic hospital in Milan, Italy. Thromb Res. 2020;191:9-14. PubMedPMID: 32353746; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC7177070.3535 Middeldorp S, Coppens M, van Haaps TF, Foppen M, Vlaar AP, Muller MCA, et al. Incidence of venous thromboembolism in hospitalized patients with COVID-19. J Thromb Haemost. 2020, http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/jth.14888. PubMed PMID:32369666.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/jth.14888...

Based on this observation, some authors and medical societies advocate the use of intermediate or therapeutic doses of LMWH for VTE prophylaxis in ICU patients with COVID-19.77 Helms J, Tacquard C, Severac F, Leonard-Lorant I, Ohana M, Delabranche X, et al. High risk of thrombosis in patients with severe SARS-CoV-2 infection: a multicenter prospective cohort study. Intensive Care Med. 2020, http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00134-020-06062-x. PubMed PMID:32367170; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC7197634.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00134-020-060...
,1111 Recomendaciones de tromboprofilaxis y tratamiento antitrombótico en pacientes con COVID-19. Sociedad Española de Trombosis y Hemostasia; 2020. Available from: https://www.covid-19.seth.es/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Recomendaciones-tromboprofilaxis-y-tratamiento-antitrombotico-pacientes-COVID-19 2020-04-29.pdf
https://www.covid-19.seth.es/wp-content/...
,1212 Marietta M, Ageno W, Artoni A, De Candia E, Gresele P, Marchetti M, et al. COVID-19 and haemostasis: a position paper from Italian Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis (SISET). Blood Transfusion = Trasfusione del sangue. 2020, http://dx.doi.org/10.2450/2020.0083-20. PubMed PMID:32281926.
http://dx.doi.org/10.2450/2020.0083-20...
,3434 Klok FA, Kruip M, van der Meer NJM, Arbous MS, Gommers D, Kant KM, et al. Confirmation of the high cumulative incidence of thrombotic complications in critically ill ICU patients with COVID-19: an updated analysis. Thromb Res. 2020, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.thromres.2020.04.041. PubMedPMID: 32381264; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC7192101.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.thromres.202...
,3535 Middeldorp S, Coppens M, van Haaps TF, Foppen M, Vlaar AP, Muller MCA, et al. Incidence of venous thromboembolism in hospitalized patients with COVID-19. J Thromb Haemost. 2020, http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/jth.14888. PubMed PMID:32369666.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/jth.14888...
The dosing regimens that have been proposed are enoxaparin 40 mg twice daily,1212 Marietta M, Ageno W, Artoni A, De Candia E, Gresele P, Marchetti M, et al. COVID-19 and haemostasis: a position paper from Italian Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis (SISET). Blood Transfusion = Trasfusione del sangue. 2020, http://dx.doi.org/10.2450/2020.0083-20. PubMed PMID:32281926.
http://dx.doi.org/10.2450/2020.0083-20...
enoxaparin 1 mg/kg daily,1111 Recomendaciones de tromboprofilaxis y tratamiento antitrombótico en pacientes con COVID-19. Sociedad Española de Trombosis y Hemostasia; 2020. Available from: https://www.covid-19.seth.es/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Recomendaciones-tromboprofilaxis-y-tratamiento-antitrombotico-pacientes-COVID-19 2020-04-29.pdf
https://www.covid-19.seth.es/wp-content/...
therapeutic doses of LMWH (type of LMWH is not specified),3333 Lodigiani C, Iapichino G, Carenzo L, Cecconi M, Ferrazzi P, Sebastian T, et al. Venous and arterial thromboembolic complications in COVID-19 patients admitted to an academic hospital in Milan, Italy. Thromb Res. 2020;191:9-14. PubMedPMID: 32353746; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC7177070.,3636 Llitjos JF, Leclerc M, Chochois C, Monsallier JM, Ramakers M, Auvray M, et al. High incidence of venous thromboembolic events in anticoagulated severe COVID-19 patients. J Thromb Haemost. 2020, http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/jth.14869. PubMedPMID: 32320517.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/jth.14869...
nadroparin 5700 IU daily3434 Klok FA, Kruip M, van der Meer NJM, Arbous MS, Gommers D, Kant KM, et al. Confirmation of the high cumulative incidence of thrombotic complications in critically ill ICU patients with COVID-19: an updated analysis. Thromb Res. 2020, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.thromres.2020.04.041. PubMedPMID: 32381264; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC7192101.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.thromres.202...
and nadroparin 2850 IU twice daily (body weight < 100 kg).3535 Middeldorp S, Coppens M, van Haaps TF, Foppen M, Vlaar AP, Muller MCA, et al. Incidence of venous thromboembolism in hospitalized patients with COVID-19. J Thromb Haemost. 2020, http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/jth.14888. PubMed PMID:32369666.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/jth.14888...
Of note, thrombotic events were also diagnosed in patients who were already receiving intermediate or therapeutic doses of LMWH.3333 Lodigiani C, Iapichino G, Carenzo L, Cecconi M, Ferrazzi P, Sebastian T, et al. Venous and arterial thromboembolic complications in COVID-19 patients admitted to an academic hospital in Milan, Italy. Thromb Res. 2020;191:9-14. PubMedPMID: 32353746; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC7177070.,3535 Middeldorp S, Coppens M, van Haaps TF, Foppen M, Vlaar AP, Muller MCA, et al. Incidence of venous thromboembolism in hospitalized patients with COVID-19. J Thromb Haemost. 2020, http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/jth.14888. PubMed PMID:32369666.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/jth.14888...
,3636 Llitjos JF, Leclerc M, Chochois C, Monsallier JM, Ramakers M, Auvray M, et al. High incidence of venous thromboembolic events in anticoagulated severe COVID-19 patients. J Thromb Haemost. 2020, http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/jth.14869. PubMedPMID: 32320517.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/jth.14869...
Middeldorp et al. further reported that the risk of VTE in ICU patients with COVID-19 was similar in the period when the standard dose of nadroparin prophylaxis was doubled (58%) in comparison with the period when standard prophylaxis was used (41%).3535 Middeldorp S, Coppens M, van Haaps TF, Foppen M, Vlaar AP, Muller MCA, et al. Incidence of venous thromboembolism in hospitalized patients with COVID-19. J Thromb Haemost. 2020, http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/jth.14888. PubMed PMID:32369666.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/jth.14888...
Although thrombotic risk is high in severe COVID-19, possibly higher than in non-COVID-19 critically ill patients,77 Helms J, Tacquard C, Severac F, Leonard-Lorant I, Ohana M, Delabranche X, et al. High risk of thrombosis in patients with severe SARS-CoV-2 infection: a multicenter prospective cohort study. Intensive Care Med. 2020, http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00134-020-06062-x. PubMed PMID:32367170; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC7197634.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00134-020-060...
there is no evidence to date supporting the increase of the dose of pharmacologic thromboprophylaxis to intermediate, nor therapeutic doses. Nevertheless, dose adjustments of LMWH and UFH for VTE prophylaxis have been suggested for obese surgical and medical patients and it may be reasonable to prescribe them for hospitalized obese patients with COVID-19.3838 Kahn SR, Lim W, Dunn AS, Cushman M, Dentali F, Akl EA, et al. Prevention of VTE in nonsurgical patients: antithrombotic therapy and prevention of thrombosis, 9th ed: American College of Chest Physicians Evidence-Based Clinical Practice Guidelines. Chest. 2012;141(2 Suppl.):e195S-e226S. PubMed PMID: 22315261; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC3278052.,4747 Ikesaka R, Delluc A, Le Gal G, Carrier M. Efficacy and safety of weight-adjusted heparin prophylaxis for the prevention of acute venous thromboembolism among obese patients undergoing bariatric surgery: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Thromb Res. 2014;133(4):682-7. PubMed PMID: 24508449.

There is also no evidence of factors associated with higher thrombotic risk to discriminate patients who would benefit from a different thromboprophylaxis approach. Furthermore, autopsy studies demonstrated the predominance of microvascular thrombosis in the lungs, coincident with markers of inflammation, which is a hallmark of prolonged infection and sepsis.4848 Dolhnikoff M, Duarte-Neto AN, de Almeida Monteiro RA, Ferraz da Silva LF, Pierre de Oliveira E, Nascimento Saldiva PH, et al. Pathological evidence of pulmonary thrombotic phenomena in severe COVID-19. J Thromb Haemost. 2020, http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/jth.14844. PubMed PMID: 32294295.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/jth.14844...
,4949 Wichmann D, Sperhake JP, Lutgehetmann M, Steurer S, Edler C, Heinemann A, et al. Autopsy findings and venous thromboembolism in patients with COVID-19: a prospective cohort study. Ann Int Med. 2020, http://dx.doi.org/10.7326/M20-2003. PubMed PMID: 32374815.
http://dx.doi.org/10.7326/M20-2003...
As mentioned above, anticoagulant treatment for sepsis has failed in multiple studies in the past.2121 Dhainaut JF, Shorr AF, Macias WL, Kollef MJ, Levi M, Reinhart K, et al. Dynamic evolution of coagulopathy in the first day of severe sepsis: relationship with mortality and organ failure. Crit Care Med. 2005;33(2):341-8.,2525 Abraham E, Reinhart K, Opal S, Demeyer I, Doig C, Rodriguez AL, et al. Efficacy and safety of tifacogin (recombinant tissue factor pathway inhibitor) in severe sepsis: a randomized controlled trial. JAMA. 2003;290(2):238-47. PubMed PMID:12851279.2727 Zarychanski R, Abou-Setta AM, Kanji S, Turgeon AF, Kumar A, Houston DS, et al. The efficacy and safety of heparin in patients with sepsis: a systematic review and metaanalysis. Crit Care Med. 2015;43(3):511-8. PubMed PMID: 25493972.

Therefore, until further evidence of the benefit of increasing prophylactic doses emerges, we suggest the use of LMWH at standard dose for thromboprophylaxis, adjusted for body weight and renal function, in patients admitted to general wards or the ICU, unless there are specific contraindications. Table 2 contains the dosing regimens for VTE prophylaxis. We are aware that the apparent increased incidence of VTE in COVID-19 has led physicians to change their practice by increasing the dose of anticoagulation for prophylaxis to intermediate or therapeutic doses of LMWH in ICU patients or in patients with high D-dimers or fibrinogen levels. However, the benefit of this approach has not yet been confirmed and well-designed trials are needed to address this question.

Table 2
Standard dose of LMWH, UFH and fondaparinux for prophylaxis and adjustments, according to body weight and renal function.

Duration of pharmacologic thromboprophylaxis

Prior trials have demonstrated that thromboprophylaxis should be given to medically ill patients at high risk for thrombosis during the entire hospitalization period and for at least 6–14 days.5050 Samama MM, Cohen AT, Darmon JY, Desjardins L, Eldor A, Janbon C, et al. A comparison of enoxaparin with placebo for the prevention of venous thromboembolism in acutely ill medical patients. Prophylaxis in Medical Patients with Enoxaparin Study Group. N Engl J Med. 1999;341(11):793-800. PubMed PMID: 10477777.,5151 Cohen AT, Davidson BL, Gallus AS, Lassen MR, Prins MH, Tomkowski W, et al. Efficacy and safety of fondaparinux for the prevention of venous thromboembolism in older acute medical patients: randomised placebo controlled trial. BMJ. 2006;332(7537):325-9. PubMed PMID:16439370; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC1363908. Extended duration of pharmacologic thromboprophylaxis may benefit patients with persistent immobility after discharge or those with reduced mobility and additional risk factors for thrombosis, such as older age (above 75 years), previous history of VTE, known thrombophilia, active cancer, obesity, use of estrogen, or chronic heart or respiratory failure.5252 Goldhaber SZ, Leizorovicz A, Kakkar AK, Haas SK, Merli G, Knabb RM, et al. Apixaban versus enoxaparin for thromboprophylaxis in medically ill patients. N Engl J Med. 2011;365(23):2167-77. PubMed PMID: 22077144.

Although no specific studies on the duration of thromboprophylaxis in COVID-19 are available to date, thromboprophylaxis should be prescribed during the entire hospitalization period, unless there is a contraindication. Once there is a widespread pressure for early discharge of patients, another important consideration is to complete a minimum course of pharmacological thromboprophylaxis for at least 7 days.4040 Venous thromboembolism in over 16s: reducing the risk of hospital-acquired deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism. National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence 2018. Available from: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng89.
https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng89...

Following this rationale, we suggest maintaining thromboprophylaxis after hospital discharge for COVID-19 patients who are at high risk for VTE or maintain immobility, unless there are specific contraindications. The risk and benefits of this approach should be reevaluated periodically.

Diagnosis and treatment of venous thromboembolism

DVT is suspected in case an edema, pain, redness or unilateral cyanosis of the limb is present. Suspicion of PE is based on clinical features, such as unexplained abrupt worsening in PaO2/FiO2 and hemodynamic instability, or surrogate markers, such as pulmonary hypertension, abrupt right ventricular dilatation and hypokinesis or right heart thrombus in transit on echocardiography, increase in troponin or B-type natriuretic levels.5353 Torbicki A, Perrier A, Konstantinides S, Agnelli G, Galie N, Pruszczyk P, et al. Guidelines on the diagnosis and management of acute pulmonary embolism: the Task Force for the Diagnosis and Management of Acute Pulmonary Embolism of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC). Eur Heart J. 2008;29(18):2276-315. PubMed PMID: 18757870. Acute DVT and PE should be confirmed by imaging tests, ideally being ultrasound of the lower extremities and CT pulmonary angiography, respectively.

In the case an imaging test is not feasible due to difficulties in mobilizing or positioning the patient on mechanical ventilation for CT scans, the need to protect staff from exposure to COVID-19 patients or contraindications for the test, a presumptive diagnosis of acute VTE may be performed based on clinical history, combined with physical examination and laboratory or other available tests. Given that COVID-19 patients present with a significant elevation of D-dimers at baseline66 Zhou F, Yu T, Du R, Fan G, Liu Y, Liu Z, et al. Clinical course and risk factors for mortality of adult inpatients with COVID-19 in Wuhan, China: a retrospective cohort study. Lancet. 2020;395(10229):1054-62. PubMed PMID: 32171076. and there is no validated cut-off value to discriminate patients at high risk for VTE,77 Helms J, Tacquard C, Severac F, Leonard-Lorant I, Ohana M, Delabranche X, et al. High risk of thrombosis in patients with severe SARS-CoV-2 infection: a multicenter prospective cohort study. Intensive Care Med. 2020, http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00134-020-06062-x. PubMed PMID:32367170; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC7197634.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00134-020-060...
the diagnosis of VTE should not be based solely on the values of D-dimers.

The treatment approach for acute thrombosis must be based on current guidelines.5454 Kearon C, Akl EA, Ornelas J, Blaivas A, Jimenez D, Bounameaux H, et al. Antithrombotic therapy for VTE disease: CHEST Guideline and Expert Panel Report. Chest. 2016;149(2):315-52. PubMed PMID: 26867832.,5555 Witt DM, Nieuwlaat R, Clark NP, Ansell J, Holbrook A, Skov J, et al. American Society of Hematology 2018 guidelines for management of venous thromboembolism: optimal management of anticoagulation therapy. Blood Adv. 2018;2(22):3257-91. PubMed PMID: 30482765; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC6258922. We recommend the use of LMWH for the treatment of acute VTE. Alternatively, UFH or fondaparinux can be used. Therapeutic doses of LMWH, UFH and fondaparinux are demonstrated in Table 3.

Table 3
Therapeutic dose of LMWH, UFH and fondaparinux and adjustments, according to body weight and renal function.

Management of patients taking direct oral anticoagulants (DOAC) or vitamin K antagonist (AVK)

In-hospital patients with severe COVID-19 are frequently treated with multiple drugs, including antiviral therapy which can strongly interact with DOACs.5656 Foerster KI, Hermann S, Mikus G, Haefeli WE. Drug–drug interactions with direct oral anticoagulants. Clin Pharmacokinet. 2020, http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s40262-020-00879-x. PubMed PMID:32157630.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s40262-020-008...
Given that DOACs and AVK interact with several drugs, it is highly recommended that doctors check for drug interaction before the prescription of any drug concomitantly with DOAC and AVK. In a cohort of severe COVID-19 inpatients taking DOACs and antiviral agents, Testa el al.5757 Testa S, Prandoni P, Paoletti O, Morandini R, Tala M, Dellanoce C, et al. Direct oral anticoagulant plasma levels’ striking increase in severe COVID-19 respiratory syndrome patients treated with antiviral agents: the Cremona experience. J Thromb Haemost. 2020, http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/jth.14871. PubMed PMID: 32329231.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/jth.14871...
have shown that DOAC plasma levels were 6 times higher during hospitalization, in comparison to the pre-hospitalization period.

Therefore, we consider reasonable that clinically stable patients admitted to the ward using DOAC or AVK continue their anticoagulant treatment during ward hospitalization if there is no relevant drug–drug interaction between the anticoagulant and the medications used to treat COVID-19. We recommend switching DOAC and AVK to LMWH if the patient is admitted to the ICU or is at risk for a significant drug–drug interaction.

Summary of the recommendations

The analysis of the peripheral blood smear, platelet count, PT, aPTT, fibrinogen and D-dimer levels are recommended for all hospitalized patients at admission. These parameters should be regularly monitored in critically ill patients. The most adequate time interval between tests is uncertain and testing should be based on clinical indication, assays availability and the local laboratory capacity and facility.

We suggest performing venous compression Duplex scan at admission of ICU patients and then on a regular basis, whenever available and at convenient intervals, to detect DVT and to prevent its complications. We also suggest maintaining vigilance for clinical and echocardiographic signs of PE.

The diagnosis of DIC does not indicate anticoagulation, unless a thrombotic event is present. The use of anticoagulants in COVID-19 should be restricted to prophylaxis of VTE or the treatment of thrombotic events.

All patients hospitalized for suspected or confirmed COVID-19 should receive pharmacologic thromboprophylaxis, unless there are contraindications (Table 1). We suggest the use of LMWH. Alternatively, UFH or fondaparinux can be given for thromboprophylaxis. In the case that pharmacologic thromboprophylaxis is contraindicated, mechanical prophylaxis should be used.

We suggest the use of LMWH at a standard dose for thromboprophylaxis, adjusted for body weight and renal function (Table 2), for patients admitted to general wards or the ICU, unless there are specific contraindications (Table 1). We are aware that the apparent increased incidence of VTE in COVID-19 has led physicians to change their practice by increasing the dose of prophylactic anticoagulation to intermediate or therapeutic doses of LMWH in ICU patients or in patients with high D-dimers or fibrinogen levels. However, the benefit of this approach has not yet been confirmed and trials are needed to address this question.

Prophylaxis for thrombosis should be prescribed during the entire hospitalization period. It is reasonable to maintain prophylaxis after the hospital discharge for patients at high risk of thrombosis or for those with immobility, unless there are specific contraindications. The risks and benefits of this approach should be reevaluated periodically.

Acute VTE events should be confirmed by imaging tests. In the case this is not feasible, presumptive diagnosis of an acute VTE event may be made based on clinical history, combined with physical examination, laboratory and other available tests. The diagnosis of VTE should not be based solely on the values of D-dimers.

We recommend the use of LMWH for the treatment of acute VTE. Alternatively, UFH or fondaparinux can be used (Table 3).

We recommend switching DOAC and AVK to LMWH if the patient is admitted to the ICU or is at risk of significant drug–drug interaction.

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Publication Dates

  • Publication in this collection
    07 Dec 2020
  • Date of issue
    Oct-Dec 2020

History

  • Received
    21 May 2020
  • Accepted
    3 June 2020
Associação Brasileira de Hematologia, Hemoterapia e Terapia Celular (ABHH) R. Dr. Diogo de Faria, 775 cj 133, 04037-002, São Paulo / SP - Brasil - São Paulo - SP - Brazil
E-mail: htct@abhh.org.br