Ontology highlight
ABSTRACT: Background
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection is associated with an increased incidence of thrombosis.Objectives
By studying the fibrin network structure of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients, we aimed to unravel pathophysiological mechanisms that contribute to this increased risk of thrombosis. This may contribute to optimal prevention and treatment of COVID-19 related thrombosis.Patients/methods
In this case-control study, we collected plasma samples from intensive care unit (ICU) patients with COVID-19, with and without confirmed thrombosis, between April and December 2020. Additionally, we collected plasma from COVID-19 patients admitted to general wards without thrombosis, from ICU patients with pneumococcal infection, and from healthy controls. Fibrin fiber diameters and fibrin network density were quantified in plasma clots imaged with stimulated emission depletion microscopy and confocal microscopy. Finally, we determined the sensitivity to fibrinolysis.Results
COVID-19 ICU patients (n = 37) and ICU patients with pneumococcal disease (n = 7) showed significantly higher fibrin densities and longer plasma clot lysis times than healthy controls (n = 7). No differences were observed between COVID-19 ICU patients with and without thrombosis, or ICU patients with pneumococcal infection. At a second time point, after diagnosis of thrombosis or at a similar time point in patients without thrombosis, we observed thicker fibers and longer lysis times in COVID-19 ICU patients with thrombosis (n = 19) than in COVID-19 ICU patients without thrombosis (n = 18).Conclusions
Our results suggest that severe COVID-19 is associated with a changed fibrin network structure and decreased susceptibility to fibrinolysis. Because these changes were not exclusive to COVID-19 patients, they may not explain the increased thrombosis risk.
SUBMITTER: de Vries JJ
PROVIDER: S-EPMC9115158 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Jun
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
de Vries Judith J JJ Visser Chantal C Geers Lotte L Slotman Johan A JA van Kleef Nadine D ND Maas Coen C Bax Hannelore I HI Miedema Jelle R JR van Gorp Eric C M ECM Goeijenbier Marco M van den Akker Johannes P C JPC Endeman Henrik H Rijken Dingeman C DC Kruip Marieke J H A MJHA de Maat Moniek P M MPM
Journal of thrombosis and haemostasis : JTH 20220401 6
<h4>Background</h4>Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection is associated with an increased incidence of thrombosis.<h4>Objectives</h4>By studying the fibrin network structure of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients, we aimed to unravel pathophysiological mechanisms that contribute to this increased risk of thrombosis. This may contribute to optimal prevention and treatment of COVID-19 related thrombosis.<h4>Patients/methods</h4>In this case-control study, we collected p ...[more]