Background Since the beginning of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the incidence of thromboembolism has been increasingly reported. The aim of this systematic review was to explore the incidence of venous and arterial thromboembolism among COVID-19 patients requiring hospitalization. Methods Medline, Embase, Scopus, and grey literature were searched until June 2020. Observational studies reported on the incidence of venous thromboembolism (VTE), including pulmonary embolism (PE) and deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or arterial thromboembolism (ATE) were included. The pool incidences and their 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated using the random-effects model. Results A total of 36 studies were included. In the intensive care unit (ICU) setting, the pooled incidence of VTE was 28% (95% CI, 22–34%). Subgroups based on compression ultrasound (CUS) screening revealed a higher incidence of DVT in the CUS screening group than in the no CUS screening group (32% [95% CI, 18–45%] vs. 6% [95% CI, 4–9%]). The pooled incidence of ATE in ICU was 3% (95% CI, 2–5%). In the non-ICU setting, the pooled incidence of VTE was 10% (95% CI, 6–14%,). Conclusions The incidence of VTE in COVID-19 patients was higher in the ICU setting than in the non-ICU setting, and also significantly higher in studies that incorporated the CUS screening protocol. The incidence of ATE in the ICU setting was low. VTE prophylactic measures should be given to all hospitalized patients diagnosed with COVID-19.

Objectives The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has become a worst pandemic. The clinical characteristics vary from asymptomatic to fatal. This study aims to examine the association between body mass index (BMI) levels and the severity of COVID-19. Methods and study design A cohort study included 147 adult patients with confirmed COVID-19 were categorized into 4 groups by BMI levels on admission: <18.5 (underweight), 18.5–22.9 (normal weight), 23.0–24.9 (overweight), and ≥25.0 kg/m2 (obese). Rates of pneumonia, severe pneumonia, acute kidney injury (AKI), and ICU stay during hospitalization across BMI group was determined. Logistic regression analysis was used to determine the association between BMI and severe pneumonia. Results Of the totals, patients having a BMI <18.5, 18.5–22.9, 23.0–24.9, and ≥25.0 kg/m2 were 12.9%, 38.1%, 17.7%, and 31.3%, respectively. The rates of pneumonia and severe pneumonia tended to be higher in patients with higher BMI, whereas the rates of AKI and ICU stay were higher in patients with BMI <18.5 kg/m2 and ≥ 25 kg/m2, when compared to patients with normal BMI. After controlling for age, sex, diabetes, hypertension and dyslipidemia in the logistic regression analysis, having a BMI ≥25.0 kg/m2 was associated with higher risk of severe pneumonia (OR 4.73; 95% CI, 1.50–14.94; p = 0.003) compared to having a BMI 18.5–22.9 kg/m2. During admission, elevated hemoglobin and alanine aminotransferase levels on day 7 and 14 of illness were associated with higher BMI levels. In contrast, rising of serum creatinine levels was observed in underweight patients on days 12 and 14 of illness. Conclusions Obesity in patients with COVID-19 was associated with severe pneumonia and adverse outcomes such as AKI, transaminitis and ICU stay. Underweight patients should be closely monitored for AKI. Further studies in body composition are warranted to explore the links between adiposity and COVID-19 pathogenesis.

Background Since the beginning of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the incidence of thromboembolism has been increasingly reported. The aim of this systematic review was to explore the incidence of venous and arterial thromboembolism among COVID-19 patients requiring hospitalization. Methods Medline, Embase, Scopus, and grey literature were searched until May 2020. Observational studies reported on the incidence of venous thromboembolism (VTE), including pulmonary embolism (PE) and deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or arterial thromboembolism (ATE) were included. The pool incidences and their 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated using the random-effects model. Results A total of 26 studies were included. In the intensive care unit (ICU) setting, the pooled incidence of VTE was 27% (95% CI, 20–35%). Subgroups based on compression ultrasound (CUS) screening revealed a higher incidence of DVT in the CUS screening group than in the no CUS screening group (27% [95% CI, 20–35%] vs. 3% [95% CI, 1–5%]). The pooled incidence of ATE in ICU was 3% (95% CI, 2–4%). In the non-ICU setting, the pooled incidence of VTE was 8% (95% CI, 4–12%,). Conclusions The incidence of VTE in COVID-19 patients was higher in the ICU setting than in the non-ICU setting, and also significantly higher in studies that incorporated the CUS screening protocol. The incidence of ATE in the ICU setting was low. VTE prophylactic measures should be given to all hospitalized patients diagnosed with COVID-19, especially in the ICU setting.

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via the original article.

Background The increased procoagulant platelets and platelet activation are associated with thrombosis in COVID-19. In this study, we investigated platelet activation in COVID-19 patients and their association with other disease markers. Methods COVID-19 patients were classified into three severity groups: no pneumonia, mild-to-moderate pneumonia, and severe pneumonia. The expression of P-selectin and activated glycoprotein (aGP) IIb/IIIa on the platelet surface and platelet-leukocyte aggregates were measured prospectively on admission days 1, 7, and 10 by flow cytometry. Results P-selectin expression, platelet-neutrophil, platelet-lymphocyte, and platelet-monocyte aggregates were higher in COVID-19 patients than in uninfected control individuals. In contrast, aGPIIb/IIIa expression was not different between patients and controls. Severe pneumonia patients had lower platelet-monocyte aggregates than patients without pneumonia and patients with mild-to-moderate pneumonia. Platelet-neutrophil and platelet-lymphocyte aggregates were not different among groups. There was no change in platelet-leukocyte aggregates and P-selectin expression on days 1, 7, and 10. aGPIIb/IIIa expression was not different among patient groups. Still, adenosine diphosphate (ADP)-induced aGPIIb/IIIa expression was lower in severe pneumonia than in patients without and with mild-to-moderate pneumonia. Platelet-monocyte aggregates exhibited a weak positive correlation with lymphocyte count and weak negative correlations with interleukin-6, D-dimer, lactate dehydrogenase, and nitrite. Conclusion COVID-19 patients have higher platelet-leukocyte aggregates and P-selectin expression than controls, indicating increased platelet activation. Compared within patient groups, platelet-monocyte aggregates were lower in severe pneumonia patients.

Essentials • We present the first reported case of left ventricular thrombus in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). • Three consecutive cases of pulmonary embolism in Thai patients with COVID-19 are also demonstrated. • d-dimer is a strong marker to predict thrombosis. • Thromboprophylaxis is essential in Asian patients hospitalized with COVID-19.

Background: Since the beginning of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the incidence of thromboembolism has been increasingly reported. The aim of this systematic review was to explore the incidence of venous and arterial thromboembolism among COVID-19 patients requiring hospitalization.Methods: Medline, Embase, Scopus, and grey literature were searched until May 2020. Observational studies reported on the incidence of venous thromboembolism (VTE), including pulmonary embolism (PE) and deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or arterial thromboembolism (ATE) were included. The pool incidences and their 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated using the random-effects model.Results: A total of 36 studies were included. In the intensive care unit (ICU) setting, the pooled incidence of VTE was 28% (95% CI, 22-34%). Subgroups based on compression ultrasound (CUS) screening revealed a higher incidence of DVT in the CUS screening group than in the no CUS screening group (32% [95% CI, 18-45%] vs. 6% [95% CI, 4-9%]). The pooled incidence of ATE in ICU was 3% (95% CI, 2-5%). In the non-ICU setting, the pooled incidence of VTE was 10% (95% CI, 6-14%,).Conclusions:The incidence of VTE in COVID-19 patients was higher in the ICU setting than in the non-ICU setting, and also significantly higher in studies that incorporated the CUS screening protocol. The incidence of ATE in the ICU setting was low. VTE prophylactic measures should be given to all hospitalized patients diagnosed with COVID-19.

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