Patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) have elevated D-dimer levels. Early reports describe high venous thromboembolism (VTE) and disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) rates, but data are limited. This multicenter, retrospective study described the rate and severity of hemostatic and thrombotic complications of 400 hospital-admitted COVID-19 patients (144 critically ill) primarily receiving standard-dose prophylactic anticoagulation. Coagulation and inflammatory parameters were compared between patients with and without coagulation-associated complications. Multivariable logistic models examined the utility of these markers in predicting coagulation-associated complications, critical illness, and death. The radiographically-confirmed VTE rate was 4.8% (95% CI, 2.9-7.3%) and the overall thrombotic complication rate was 9.5% (6.8-12.8%). The overall and major bleeding rates were 4.8% (2.9-7.3%) and 2.3% (1.0-4.2%). In the critically ill, radiographically-confirmed VTE and major bleeding rates were 7.6% (3.9-13.3%) and 5.6% (2.4-10.7%). Elevated D-dimer at initial presentation was predictive of coagulation-associated complications during hospitalization [D-dimer >2,500 ng/mL, adjusted OR for thrombosis, 6.79 (2.39-19.30), adjusted OR for bleeding, 3.56 (1.01-12.66)], critical illness, and death. Additional markers at initial presentation predictive of thrombosis during hospitalization included platelet count >450×109/L [adjusted OR, 3.56 (1.27-9.97)], C-reactive protein (CRP) >100 mg/L [adjusted OR, 2.71 (1.26-5.86)], and erythrocyte sedimentation rate >40 mm/h [adjusted OR, 2.64 (1.07-6.51)]. ESR, CRP, fibrinogen, ferritin, and procalcitonin were higher in patients with thrombotic complications than those without. DIC, clinically-relevant thrombocytopenia, and reduced fibrinogen were rare and were associated with significant bleeding manifestations. Given the observed bleeding rates, randomized trials are needed to determine any potential benefit of intensified anticoagulant prophylaxis in COVID-19 patients.

Key Points When performed in accordance with modern ASH and ISTH guidelines, PA testing is sensitive and specific for ITP diagnosis. More glycoproteins targeted by autoantibodies predicts for more severe disease, and autoantibodies resolve with clinical remission.

Background The aim of this study was to characterize severe immune‐related adverse events (irAEs) seen among hospitalized patients and to examine risk factors for irAE admissions and clinically relevant outcomes, including length of stay, immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) discontinuation, readmission, and death. Methods Patients who received ICI therapy (ipilimumab, pembrolizumab, nivolumab, atezolizumab, durvalumab, avelumab, or any ICI combination) at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) and were hospitalized at MGH following ICI initiation between January 1, 2011, and October 24, 2018, were identified using pharmacy and hospital admission databases. Medical records of all irAE admissions were reviewed, and specialist review with defined criteria was performed. Demographic data, relevant clinical history (malignancy type and most recent ICI regimen), and key admission characteristics, including dates of admission and discharge, immunosuppressive management, ICI discontinuation, readmission, and death, were collected. Results In total, 450 admissions were classified as irAE admissions and represent the study's cohort. Alongside the increasing use of ICIs at our institution, the number of patients admitted to MGH for irAEs has gradually increased every year from 9 in 2011 to 92 in 2018. The hospitalization rate per ICI recipient has declined over that same time period (25.0% in 2011 to 8.5% in 2018). The most common toxicities leading to hospitalization in our cohort were gastrointestinal (30.7%; n = 138), pulmonary (15.8%; n = 71), hepatic (14.2%; n = 64), endocrine (12.2%; n = 55), neurologic (8.4%; n = 38), cardiac (6.7%; n = 30), and dermatologic (4.4%; n = 20). Multivariable logistic regression revealed statistically significant increases in irAE admission risk for CTLA‐4 monotherapy recipients (odds ratio [OR], 2.02; p < .001) and CTLA‐4 plus PD‐1 combination therapy recipients (OR, 1.88; p < .001), relative to PD‐1/PD‐L1 monotherapy recipients, and patients with multiple toxicity had a 5‐fold increase in inpatient mortality. Conclusion This study illustrates that cancer centers must be prepared to manage a wide variety of irAE types and that CTLA‐4 and combination ICI regimens are more likely to cause irAE admissions, and earlier. In addition, admissions for patients with multi‐organ involvement is common and those patients are at highest risk of inpatient mortality. Implications for Practice  The number of patients admitted to Massachusetts General Hospital for immune‐related adverse events (irAEs) has gradually increased every year and the most common admissions are for gastrointestinal (30.7%), pulmonary (15/8%), and hepatic (14.2%) events. Readmission rates are high (29% at 30 days, 49% at 180 days) and 64.2% have to permanently discontinue immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy. Importantly, multiple concurrent toxicities were seen in 21.6% (97/450) of irAE admissions and these patients have a fivefold increased risk of inpatient death.

No abstract

No abstract