D-dimer in patients infected with COVID-19 and suspected pulmonary embolism

Respir Med. 2020 Aug:169:106023. doi: 10.1016/j.rmed.2020.106023. Epub 2020 May 13.

Abstract

Objective: To analyze the risk factors for pulmonary embolism (PE) in patients infected with COVID-19.

Methods: We conducted an observational, retrospective study. Patients with severe infection with COVID-19 and suspected PE were included.

Results: Patients with higher levels of D-dimer and those requiring intubation were at a higher risk of developing PE. Higher D-dimer levels were associated with a greater probability of PE 3, 6, 9 and 12 days after determining D-dimer levels with an OR of 1.7, 2.0, 2.4 and 2.4, respectively.

Conclusion: In conclusion, patients infected with COVID-19 requiring OTI with higher levels of D-dimer have an increased risk of developing PE.

Keywords: COVID-19; D-dimer; Pulmonary embolism.

Publication types

  • Observational Study

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Betacoronavirus
  • COVID-19
  • Coronavirus Infections / blood
  • Coronavirus Infections / epidemiology*
  • Coronavirus Infections / metabolism
  • Coronavirus Infections / therapy
  • Female
  • Fibrin Fibrinogen Degradation Products / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Intubation, Intratracheal / statistics & numerical data*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Pandemics
  • Pneumonia, Viral / blood
  • Pneumonia, Viral / epidemiology*
  • Pneumonia, Viral / metabolism
  • Pneumonia, Viral / therapy
  • Pulmonary Embolism / blood
  • Pulmonary Embolism / epidemiology*
  • Pulmonary Embolism / metabolism
  • Respiration, Artificial
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Risk Factors
  • SARS-CoV-2
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Spain / epidemiology

Substances

  • Fibrin Fibrinogen Degradation Products
  • fibrin fragment D