Covid-19 and Thrombosis

Thrombosis and Covid-19

The World Thrombosis Day (WTD) campaign is working in real time to provide you with more information on the connection between thrombosis and COVID-19. Please note that much of this information is being discovered in real time and that is why there is often a delay. As a reminder, please speak directly with your healthcare provider if you have questions regarding your personal health. It’s unethical for us to provide you with that advice.

That said, read below for the latest connections between thrombosis and COVID-19:

1. Having blood clots, such as deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or pulmonary embolism (PE), is not associated with an increased risk of acquiring COVID-19.
2. Anticoagulants themselves don’t place patients at risk for COVID-19. What can be important are underlying disorders. For example, if anticoagulants are given to someone with cancer, the cancer and its treatment may result in immunosuppression, which places patients at risk. It’s important to talk to your doctor about your individual situation if you are concerned.
3. D-dimer is a non-specific marker of inflammation or infection so it is not surprising that the levels will be high in those with the most severe infection. In some of the articles in the lay press, elevated D-dimer levels have been interpreted as indicating blood clots. This is an overly simplistic interpretation. Although D-dimer levels are elevated in most patients with blood clots, D-dimer levels also are elevated in many other disorders including infection. Therefore, an elevated D-dimer level in patients with COVID-19 infection alone cannot be used as evidence that they have a clot.
4. For the best information for the public, visit the World Health Organization (WHO), here: https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public. Here you can find Myth Busters and basic protective measures. Stay as informed as possible during this time. CDC also has ample information available at www.coronavirus.gov.

If you have any general questions, please email us at wtd@isth.org.