ABSTRACT
Aim and background: COVID-19 is caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2). COVID-19 is associated with a prothrombotic state leading to adverse clinical outcomes. We aimed to compare DVT compression stockings with anticoagulants versus anticoagulants alone for the prevention of thromboembolism in severely ill ICU COVID patients. Materials and methods: A retrospective chart review of patients admitted to ICU of a tertiary care hospital in Bangalore to assess the incidence of thrombosis (DVT and/or pulmonary embolism) and requirement of thrombolysis in severely ill COVID-19 patients treated with DVT stockings with anticoagulation versus patients treated with anticoagulants alone. Results: A total of 154 patients were admitted to our ICU with severe COVID-19 symptoms, 54 (35.1%) were females, and 100 (64.9%) were males. 121 patients were treated with DVT stockings with anticoagulation and 33 patients were given anticoagulation alone. 8 patients developed thrombotic events, 6 patients developed DVT alone, and 2 patients developed DVT and pulmonary embolism requiring thrombolysis. Out of 8 patients, 6 patients developing thrombotic events were treated with anticoagulation alone for the prevention of thrombosis. Out of 121 patients who were treated with DVT stocking with anticoagulation, only 2 patients developed DVT and none of them developed pulmonary embolism. Conclusion: In patients, hospitalized in ICU with severe COVID-19, use of DVT compression stockings along with anticoagulants significantly reduced the incidence of thrombotic events (DVT and/or pulmonary embolism) and thus reducing the need for e proving eventually decreasing the financial burden.