Impairments of haemostasis and therapeutic management in patients with COVID-19

The lack of prior immunity to SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus (COVID-19) infection has led to pandemic, where there is no certain management, regarding the complications of  this viral illness. The lungs are the target organ for COVID-19 and patients develop acute lung injury that may progress to respiratory and multiorgan failure. Recent data shows the presence of diffuse bilateral pulmonary inflammation in COVID-19 infection. It is associated with a specific pulmonary vasculopathy, defined as pulmonary intravascular coagulopathy (PIC) that is distinct from disseminated intravascular coagulopathy (DIC). The coagulopathy in the early stages of COVID-19 is characterized by initial elevation of D-dimer and fibrin/fibrinogen degradation products, while abnormalities in prothrombin time, partial thromboplastin time and platelet counts are uncommon. That is why screening of D-dimer and fibrinogen levels, are mandatory. COVID-19-associated coagulopathy should be treated, following the guidelines for thromboembolic prophylaxis. Although D-dimer is a marker of mortality, current data does not show routine application of anticoagulants, unless otherwise clinically indicated. Bleeding in COVID-19 is uncommon, even when a laboratory constellation for DIC is present. However, if it occurs, standard guidelines for DIC management should be followed.