Venous Thromboembolism Has a Variable Time of Occurrence in the Course of COVID-19: A Case Series.

ABSTRACT

The novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) which results in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has had a devastating impact globally. Not much is fully understood about this disease. Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) appears to be the commonest complication among patients with COVID-19. However, venous thromboembolism (VTE) appears to be a common complication among patients with COVID-19 even with adequate anticoagulation during hospitalization. VTE may confer a poor outcome on its own or may exacerbate other common complications such as ARDS or cardiac injury. There are several diagnostic dilemmas with regards confirming VTE among patients with COVID-19 as there is a move to reduce the transfer of patients for angiographic studies or even venous Doppler ultrasonography because of the high transmissibility SARS-CoV-2. There is also the risk of worsening ARDS following fluid administration to prevent contrast nephropathy after angiographic studies.  It is, therefore, crucial to understand the timing of VTE occurrence in the setting of COVID-19, identify strategies for early diagnosis of VTE, therapeutic options as well as prognostic implications of VTE in the setting of COVID-19.