Pilot study to evaluate hypercoagulation and inflammation using rotational thromboelastometry and calprotectin in COVID-19 patients. (preprint)

ABSTRACT

IntroductionAbnormal coagulation and inflammation are hallmarks of SARs-COV-19. Stratifying affected patients on admission to hospital may help identify those who are risk of developing severe disease early on. ROTEM is a point of care test that can be used to measure abnormal coagulation and calprotectin is a measure of inflammation. AimAssess if ROTEM can measure hypercoagulability on admission and identify those who will develop severe disease early on. Assess if calprotectin can measure inflammation and if there is a correlation with ROTEM and calprotectin. MethodsCOVID-19 patients were recruited on admission and ROTEM testing was undertaken daily for a period of 7 days. Additionally inflammatory marker calprotectin was also tested. Results33 patients were recruited to the study out of which 13 were admitted to ITU and 20 were treated on the ward. ROTEM detected a hypercoagulable state on admission but did not stratify between those admitted to a ward or escalated to ITU. Calprotectin levels were raised but there was no statistical difference (p=0.73) between groups. Significant correlations were observed between FIBA5 (p<0.00), FIBCFT (p<0.00), FIBMCF (p<0.00) and INMCF (p<0.00) and calprotectin. ConclusionCOVID19 patients were hypercoagulable in admission. The correlations between ROTEM and calprotectin underline the interactions between inflammation and coagulation.