KEY FINDINGS from a study presented at the European Respiratory Society (ERS) Congress in Vienna, Austria, suggest that continuing anticoagulation treatment in the post-acute phase of COVID-19 significantly reduces the risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in patients recovering from the COVID-19 virus. The research, conducted on 43 patients who recovered from COVID-19 pneumonia, investigated whether VTE risk is influenced by the duration of anticoagulation during and after the acute phase of infection.
The patients, with a median age of 60, were divided into three groups: those who received no anticoagulation, those who only received it during the acute phase, and those who continued treatment into the post-acute phase. The results were striking, with 43.8% of patients who did not receive anticoagulation experiencing VTE, while 33.3% of those who stopped after the acute phase developed VTE. In contrast, none of the patients who continued anticoagulation post-COVID developed VTE.
VTE cases occurred between 33 to 130 days after the onset of COVID-19, indicating that the risk extends beyond the acute phase of the illness. Patients who received both acute and post-acute anticoagulation showed a significant reduction in VTE risk, with no cases reported in that group.
The study highlights the potential benefits of prolonged anticoagulation for preventing serious complications like pulmonary embolism in patients recovering from COVID-19, particularly those at higher risk due to moderate or severe disease. The findings suggest that tailored anticoagulation strategies may be needed to manage post-COVID-19 risks effectively.
Healthcare professionals should carefully assess the need for extended anticoagulation therapy in COVID-19 patients, especially those with a history of moderate to severe illness, to reduce the likelihood of life-threatening blood clots during recovery.
Aleksandra Zurowska, EMJ
Reference
Habshydze N et al. Is there a need for prolonged anticoagulation after COVID-19? Abstract 309. ERS Congress, 7–11 September, 2024.
