ARTERIAL THROMBOSES: CHANGE OF PARADIGM IN THE ERA OF COVID-19 (review of literature)

This literature review focuses on the problem of peripheral arterial thrombosis in patients with COVID-19. Russian and international recommendations for the treatment of this cohort of patients were created in the period before the pandemic and do not take into account the new genesis of the development of the disease. In turn, this leads to the ineffectiveness of the existing methods of reperfusion, aimed primarily at removing the thrombus and administering anticoagulants/antiplatelet agents. The elimination of endotheliitis, as one of the key factors of arterial thrombosis, is not always possible, which is accompanied by the development of repeated thrombosis with further unfavorable events. The lack of prospective randomized trials, as well as information in the Interim Guidelines for the Prevention, Diagnosis and Treatment of New Coronavirus Infection (COVID-19) of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, where infectious coronavirus hospitals operate, creates uncertainty in the choice of methods for treating arterial thrombosis when infected with SARS-CoV-2. This trend is associated with a high rate of amputations and deaths in patients with COVID-19. To date, there is no method of revascularization in the presence of arterial thrombosis that demonstrates optimal results for patients with new coronavirus infection. © 2022 Research Results in Biomedicine. All rights reserved.

Carotid Enadrterectomy for Thrombosis of the Internal Carotid Artery in Patients With COVID-19.

Analysis of the results of emergency carotid endarterectomy (CEE) against the background of internal carotid artery (ICA) thrombosis in the acute period of acute cerebrovascular accident (ACVA) in patients with COVID-19. During the COVID-19 pandemic (April 1, 2020-May 1, 2021), 43 patients with ICA thrombosis and a positive polymerase chain reaction (PCR) result for SARS-CoV-2 were included in this prospective study. In all cases, CEE was performed in the acutest period of ACVA. These patients were included in group 1. The comparison group was represented by 89 patients who underwent CEE in the acute period of stroke, in the period before the COVID-19 pandemic (April 1, 2019-March 1, 2020). According to laboratory parameters, patients with COVID-19 had severe coagulopathy (with an increase in D-dimer: 3832 ± 627.2 ng/mL, fibrinogen: 12.6 ± 3.1 g/L, prothrombin: 155.7 ± 10, 2%), inflammatory syndrome (increased ferritin: 646.2 ± 56.1 ng/mL, C-reactive protein: 161.3 ± 17.2 mg/L, interleukin-6: 183.3 ± 51.7 pg/mL, leukocytosis: 27.3 ± 1.7 10E9/L). In the hospital postoperative period, the groups were comparable in terms of the incidence of deaths (group 1: 2.3%, n = 1; group 2: 1.1%, n = 1; P= 0.81; OR=2.09; 95 % CI = 0.12-34.3) myocardial infarction (group 1: 2.3%, n = 1; group 2: 0%; P= 0.7; OR = 6.3; 95% CI = 0.25-158.5), CVA (group 1: 2.3%, n = 1; group 2: 2.2%, n = 2; P= 0.55; OR = 1.03; 95% CI = 0,.09-11.7). ICA thrombosis and hemorrhagic transformations were not recorded. However, due to severe coagulopathy with ongoing anticoagulant/antiplatelet therapy, patients with COVID-19 more often developed bleeding in the operation area (group 1: 11.6%, n = 5; group 2: 1.1%, n = 1; P= 0.02; OR = 11.5; 95% CI = 1.3-102.5). In all cases, the flow of hemorrhagic discharge came from the drainage localized in the subcutaneous fat. This made it possible to remove skin sutures in a dressing room, suturing the source of bleeding and applying secondary sutures under local anesthesia. Emergency CEE in the acute period of stroke is an effective and safe method of cerebral revascularization in case of ICA thrombosis in conditions of COVID-19.

[Carotid endarterectomy in patients with internal carotid artery thrombosis in the acutest period of ischemic stroke with COVID-19]. / Karotidnaya endarterektomiya u patsientov s trombozom vnutrennei sonnoi arterii v ostreishem periode ishemicheskogo insul'ta na fone COVID-19.

OBJECTIVE: Analysis of the results of emergency carotid endarterectomy (CEE) in internal carotid artery (ICA) thrombosis in the acute period of acute cerebrovascular accident (ACVI) in patients with COVID-19. MATERIAL AND METHODS: During the COVID-19 pandemic (April 1, 2020 - May 1, 2021), 43 patients with ICA thrombosis and a positive polymerase chain reaction (PCR) result for SARS-CoV-2 were included in this prospective study. In all cases, CEE was performed in the acutest period of ACVA. These patients were included in group 1. The comparison group was represented by 89 patients who underwent CEE in the acute period of stroke, in the period before the COVID-19 pandemic (April 1, 2019 - March 1.2020). RESULTS: In the hospital postoperative period, the groups were comparable in terms of the incidence of deaths (group 1: 2.3%, n=1; group 2: 1.1%, n=1; p=0.81; OR=2.09; 95% CI=0.12-34.3) myocardial infarction (group 1: 2.3%, n=1; group 2: 0%; p=0.7; OR=6.3; 95% CI=0.25-158.5), CVA (group 1: 2.3%, n=1; group 2: 2.2%, n=2; p=0.55; OR=1.03; 95% CI=0.09-11.,7). ICA thrombosis and hemorrhagic transformations were not recorded. However, in view of severe coagulopathy with ongoing anticoagulant/antiplatelet therapy, patients with COVID-19 more often developed bleeding in the operation area (group 1: 11.6%, n=5; group 2: 1.1%, n=1; p=0.02; OR=11.5; 95% CI=1.3-102.5). CONCLUSION: Emergency CEE in the acute period of stroke is an effective and safe method of cerebral revascularization in case of ICA thrombosis in conditions of COVID-19.

Rapid popliteal artery release sensu A. N. Kazantsev in acute thrombosis in patients with COVID-19

Aim. To analyze the outcomes of popliteal thrombectomy using the standard release technique with vascular instruments and rapid release sensu A. N. Kazantsev in patients with acute popliteal artery thrombosis (PAT) and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Material and methods. The present prospective single-center study for the period from April 1, 2020 to March 17, 2021 included 157 patients with acute PAT and COVID-19 at the Alexandrovskaya City Hospital. All patients were divided into 2 groups depending on the popliteal artery access: group 1 (n=88;56%) — rapid release sensu A. N. Kazantsev;group 2 (n=69;44%) — standard popliteal artery release using vascular instruments (vascular forceps and scissors) and tourniquets. Rapid popliteal artery release was distinguished by the fact that fasciotomy and hemostasis, the fatty tissue behind it and up to the artery was torn with two index fingers. First, the fingers were joined together at the lateral edges and inserted into the wound middle. Then the wound together with tissues was stretched with fingers to proximal and distal edges until the popliteal artery was visualized. Further, a Beckmann retractor was used to fix the torn fiber to the upper and lower wound walls. The tourniquets were not used. Results. Surgical access duration (group 1, 4,5±1,3 minutes;group 2, 11,41±0,9 minutes;p=0,005), as well as the total procedure duration (group 1, 47,5±2,8 minutes;group 2, 62,15±4,5 min;p=0,001) had the lowest values in the group of rapid popliteal artery release. Moreover, all intraoperative bleedings (n=11;15,9%) was recorded in group 2 as a result of popliteal vein injuries and/or bleeding from popliteal artery. The retrombosis rate in the rapid release group was lower (group 1, 40,9%;group 2, 55,1%;p=0,03). On the first day after surgery, 18% of thrombosis developed in group 1, and 39% in group 2. The mortality rate was highest in the standard artery release group (group 1, 55,7%;group 2, 86,9%;p<0,0001;OR, 0,18;95% CI, 0,08-0,42). In all cases, the cause of death was systemic multiple organ failure due to severe pneumonia, pulmonary edema, and cytokine storm. Conclusion. The use of rapid popliteal artery release sensu A. N. Kazantsev significantly reduces the thrombectomy duration in the context of COVID-19. This effect is achieved due to a decrease in the incidence of intraoperative bleeding, no need to use tourniquets and vascular instruments. A decrease in the ischemia duration using novel release technique reduces the retrombosis rate, as well as deaths caused by systemic multiple organ failure against the background of hyperperfusion and compartment syndrome. Reducing the operation duration with the use of rapid popliteal artery release sensu A. N. Kazantsev reduces the time of intraoperative mechanical ventilation, which in COVID-19 patients reduces the risks of pneumothorax, pneumomediastinum, emphysema, and pulmonary embolism. Thus, the rapid popliteal artery release sensu A. N. Kazantsev can be recommended for popliteal thrombectomy in patients with COVID-19.