The Burden of Hypercoagulability in COVID-19

Abstract

The novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection has widespread impact on multiple organ systems, including damage to endothelial cells. Various studies have found evidence for direct mechanisms by which interaction between severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) and endothelial cells lead to extensive damage to the latter, and indirect mechanisms, such as excessively elevated cytokines, can also result in the same outcome. Damage to the endothelium results in release of thrombotic factors and inhibition of fibrinolysis. This confers a significant hypercoagulability burden on patients infected or recovering from COVID-19 infection. In this case report, the authors report the case of a gentleman presenting with extensive deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism, in the context of recent COVID-19 infection. The postulated mechanisms and management are discussed.