{"title":"What Role Does Microthrombosis Play in Long COVID?","authors":"Toshiaki Iba, Jean M Connors, Jerrold H Levy","doi":"10.1055/s-0043-1774795","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Soon after the outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), unexplained sustained fatigue, cognitive disturbance, and muscle ache/weakness were reported in patients who had recovered from acute COVID-19 infection. This abnormal condition has been recognized as \"long COVID (postacute sequelae of COVID-19 [PASC])\" with a prevalence estimated to be from 10 to 20% of convalescent patients. Although the pathophysiology of PASC has been studied, the exact mechanism remains obscure. Microclots in circulation can represent one of the possible causes of PASC. Although hypercoagulability and thrombosis are critical mechanisms of acute COVID-19, recent studies have reported that thromboinflammation continues in some patients, even after the virus has cleared. Viral spike proteins and RNA can be detected months after patients have recovered, findings that may be responsible for persistent thromboinflammation and the development of microclots. Despite this theory, long-term results of anticoagulation, antiplatelet therapy, and vascular endothelial protection are inconsistent, and could not always show beneficial treatment effects. In summary, PASC reflects a heterogeneous condition, and microclots cannot explain all the presenting symptoms. After clarification of the pathomechanisms of each symptom, a symptom- or biomarker-based stratified approach should be considered for future studies.</p>","PeriodicalId":21673,"journal":{"name":"Seminars in thrombosis and hemostasis","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":3.6000,"publicationDate":"2024-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Seminars in thrombosis and hemostasis","FirstCategoryId":"3","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0043-1774795","RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"2023/9/25 0:00:00","PubModel":"Epub","JCR":"Q2","JCRName":"HEMATOLOGY","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
Soon after the outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), unexplained sustained fatigue, cognitive disturbance, and muscle ache/weakness were reported in patients who had recovered from acute COVID-19 infection. This abnormal condition has been recognized as "long COVID (postacute sequelae of COVID-19 [PASC])" with a prevalence estimated to be from 10 to 20% of convalescent patients. Although the pathophysiology of PASC has been studied, the exact mechanism remains obscure. Microclots in circulation can represent one of the possible causes of PASC. Although hypercoagulability and thrombosis are critical mechanisms of acute COVID-19, recent studies have reported that thromboinflammation continues in some patients, even after the virus has cleared. Viral spike proteins and RNA can be detected months after patients have recovered, findings that may be responsible for persistent thromboinflammation and the development of microclots. Despite this theory, long-term results of anticoagulation, antiplatelet therapy, and vascular endothelial protection are inconsistent, and could not always show beneficial treatment effects. In summary, PASC reflects a heterogeneous condition, and microclots cannot explain all the presenting symptoms. After clarification of the pathomechanisms of each symptom, a symptom- or biomarker-based stratified approach should be considered for future studies.
期刊介绍:
Seminars in Thrombosis and Hemostasis is a topic driven review journal that focuses on all issues relating to hemostatic and thrombotic disorders. As one of the premiere review journals in the field, Seminars in Thrombosis and Hemostasis serves as a comprehensive forum for important advances in clinical and laboratory diagnosis and therapeutic interventions. The journal also publishes peer reviewed original research papers.
Seminars offers an informed perspective on today''s pivotal issues, including hemophilia A & B, thrombophilia, gene therapy, venous and arterial thrombosis, von Willebrand disease, vascular disorders and thromboembolic diseases. Attention is also given to the latest developments in pharmaceutical drugs along with treatment and current management techniques. The journal also frequently publishes sponsored supplements to further highlight emerging trends in the field.