Potential mechanisms of nafamostat therapy for severe COVID-19 pneumonia with disseminated intravascular coagulation

Abstract

Nafamostat, a serine proteinase inhibitor with various actions including antithrombin, antiplasmin, and antitrypsin effects, has been used in clinical practice to treat disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) and pancreatitis. This case report describes the clinical course of a patient with COVID-19 pneumonia whose severe hypoxemia, probably caused by DIC and pulmonary embolism, showed remarkable improvement with combination heparin and nafamostat therapy. In addition, beneficial mechanisms of nafamostat against COVID-19 and the necessity of attention to hyperkalemia as an adverse effect are discussed.

Keywords: COVID-19; Disseminated intravascular coagulation; Nafamostat; Serine proteinase inhibitor.