An overview of prophylaxis and treatment indications for COVID-19-related thrombotic complications

ABSTRACT

In 2020, a coronavirus-related disease (COVID-19) became a pandemic. The disease was recognized as a viral respiratory illness caused by SARS-CoV-2. Histologic analysis of pulmonary vessels in severely affected patients revealed a microangio-pathic thrombosis. It was rapidly recognized that the disease could behave as a thrombotic disease, both in the venous and arterial circulations and affecting multiple organs. Anticoa-gulant treatments were immediately considered to prevent or control the underlying coagulopathy. The emergency of the situation and the limited knowledge in the early months accounted for variable success of the anticoagulation regi-mens. The benefit/bleeding risk ratio of anticoagulant treat-ments depended on the severity and evolution of the disease in different subgroups of patients. This review aims to provide a synthesized guide on how anticoagulant protocols indicated for the prophylaxis and treatment of COVID-19-related hyper -coagulable state have evolved and have been successfully adapted to specific scenarios throughout the pandemic.