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Risk of venous thromboembolism in patients with COVID-19: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is frequently observed in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). However, reported VTE rates differ substantially.

Objectives

We aimed at evaluating available data and estimating the prevalence of VTE in patients with COVID-19.

Methods

We conducted a systematic literature search (MEDLINE, EMBASE, World Health Organization COVID-19 database) to identify studies reporting VTE rates in patients with COVID-19. Studies with suspected high risk of bias were excluded from quantitative synthesis. Pooled outcome rates were obtained within a random effects meta-analysis. Subgroup analyses were performed for different settings (intensive care unit [ICU] vs non-ICU hospitalization and screening vs no screening) and the association of d-dimer levels and VTE risk was explored.

Results

Eighty-six studies (33,970 patients) were identified and 66 (28,173 patients, mean age: 62.6 years, 60.1% men, 19.4% ICU patients) were included in quantitative analysis. The overall VTE prevalence estimate was 14.1% (95% confidence interval [CI], 11.6-16.9), 40.3% (95% CI, 27.0-54.3) with ultrasound screening and 9.5% (95% CI, 7.5-11.7) without screening. Subgroup analysis revealed high heterogeneity, with a VTE prevalence of 7.9% (95% CI, 5.1-11.2) in non-ICU and 22.7% (95% CI, 18.1-27.6) in ICU patients. Prevalence of pulmonary embolism (PE) in non-ICU and ICU patients was 3.5% (95% CI, 2.2-5.1) and 13.7% (95% CI, 10.0-17.9). Patients developing VTE had higher d-dimer levels (weighted mean difference, 3.26 µg/mL; 95% CI, 2.76-3.77) than non-VTE patients.

Conclusion

VTE occurs in 22.7% of patients with COVID-19 in the ICU, but VTE risk is also increased in non-ICU hospitalized patients. Patients developing VTE had higher d-dimer levels. Studies evaluating thromboprophylaxis strategies in patients with COVID-19 are needed to improve prevention of VTE.

SUBMITTER: Nopp S

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7537137 | biostudies-literature |

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Project description:Background: Early during the course of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, reports suggested alarmingly high incidences for thromboembolic events in critically ill patients with COVID-19. However, the clinical relevance of these events was not reported in several studies. Additionally, more recent research showed contradictory results and suggested substantially lower rates of venous thromboembolism. Thus, the aim of the present study was to summarize evidence on the incidence of clinically relevant venous thromboembolism (VTE)-defined as VTE excluding isolated subsegmental pulmonary embolism (PE) and distal deep vein thrombosis (DVT)-in adult critically ill patients with COVID-19. Methods: We performed a systematic review of studies reporting the incidence of clinically relevant PE and/or DVT in critically ill patients with COVID-19. Scientific reports published in the English language between January and October 2020 were included. We conducted a random-effects model meta-analysis to calculate incidence estimates of clinically relevant VTE and bleeding events. We also performed exploratory meta-regression and subgroup analyses of different diagnostic approaches and additional factors that possibly influenced the incidence of these outcomes. Results: Fifty-four articles (5,400 patients) fulfilled the predefined inclusion criteria, of which 41 had a high risk of bias. The majority of included patients were male, > 60 years, and overweight. Twenty-one studies reported the use of prophylactic doses of heparin. Pooled incidences for clinically relevant PE were estimated at 8% (95% CI, 4-11%), for proximal DVT at 14% (95% CI, 9-20%), and-after exclusion of studies with a high risk of bias-for the composite outcome of VTE at 18% (95% CI, 13-24%). Clinically relevant bleeding occurred at a rate of 6% (95% CI, 2-9%). Conclusions: We summarized currently available data on the rate of clinically relevant VTE in critically ill patients with COVID-19. Pooled incidence estimates were lower than those reported by previous review articles. In the absence of evidence-based anticoagulation guidelines for critically ill patients with COVID-19, the results of our study provide clinically important information for an individual risk-benefit assessment in this context. Registration: The study protocol was prospectively registered in PROSPERO on June 22, 2020 (CRD42020193353; https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero).

Project description:IntroductionNovel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection resulting in COVID-19 disease is associated with widespread inflammation and a prothrombotic state, resulting in frequent venous thromboembolic (VTE) events. It is currently unknown whether anticoagulation is protective for VTE events. Therefore, we conducted a systematic review to identify predictors of VTE in COVID-19.MethodsWe searched PubMed, EMBASE, Google Scholar, and Ovid databases for relevant observational studies of VTE in COVID-19 disease. The effect size for predictors of VTE was calculated using a random-effects model and presented as forest plots. Heterogeneity among studies was expressed as Q statistics and I2. Bias was assessed using the Newcastle Ottawa Scale for all identified observational studies. Publication bias was assessed with funnel plot analysis.ResultsWe identified 28 studies involving 6053 patients with suspected or confirmed COVID-19. The overall pooled prevalence of VTE events was 20.7%. Male sex was associated with a higher risk of VTE events, whereas prior history of VTE, smoking, and cancer were not. VTE events were significantly higher in severely ill patients, mechanically ventilated patients, those requiring intensive care admission, and those with a low PaO2/FiO2 ratio (P/F ratio). Chronic comorbidities, including cardiovascular disease, heart failure, renal disease, and pulmonary disease, did not increase the risk of VTE events. Patients with VTE had higher leukocyte counts and higher levels of D-dimer, C-reactive protein, and procalcitonin. The occurrence of VTE was associated with increased length of stay but did not impact mortality. Therapeutic and prophylactic doses of anticoagulation were not protective against VTE.ConclusionVTE in COVID-19 is associated with male gender and severe disease but not with traditional risk factors for VTE. The occurrence of VTE does not appear to be mitigated by either prophylactic or therapeutic anticoagulation. The occurrence of VTE in this population is associated with an increased length of stay but does not appear to impact mortality.