Hypercoagulability in critically ill patients with COVID 19, an observational prospective study

Objective COVID 19 is often associated with hypercoagulability and thromboembolic (TE) events. The aim of this study was to assess the characteristics of hypercoagulability and its relationship with new-onset TE events and the composite outcome of need for intubation and/or death in intensive care unit (ICU) patients admitted for COVID. Design Prospective observational study. Setting Monocentric, intensive care, University Hospital of Clermont Ferrand, France. Patients Patients admitted to intensive care from January 2020 to May 2021 for COVID-19 pneumonia. Interventions Standard hemostatic tests and rotational thromboelastometry (ROTEM) were performed on admission and on day 4. Hypercoagulability was defined by at least one of the following criteria: D-dimers > 3000 μg/dL, fibrinogen > 8 g/L, EXTEM CFT below the normal range, EXTEM A5, MCF, Li 60 above the normal range, and EXTEM G-score ((5000 x MCF) / (100-MCF)) ≥ 11 dyne/cm2. Measurements and main results Of the 133 patients included, 17 (12.7%) developed new-onset TE events, and 59 (44.3%) required intubation and/or died in the ICU. ROTEM was performed in 133 patients on day 1 and in 67 on day 4. Hypercoagulability was present on day 1 in 115 (86.4%) patients. None of the hypercoagulability indices were associated with subsequent new-onset TE events on days 1 and 4 nor with the need for intubation and/or ICU death. Hyperfibrinogenemia > 8g/dL, higher D-dimers and higher EXTEM Li 60 on day 4 were predictive of need for intubation and/or of ICU death. Conclusions Our study confirmed that most COVID-19 ICU patients have hypercoagulability on admission and almost all on day 4. Hyperfibrinogenemia or fibrinolysis shutdown on day 4 were associated with unfavorable outcome.