Biomarkers for the prediction of venous thromboembolism in critically ill COVID-19 patients. Issue 196 (December 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Dujardin, Romein W.G.; Hilderink, Bashar N.; Haksteen, Wolmet E.; Middeldorp, S.; Vlaar, Alexander P.J.; Thachil, J.; Müller, Marcella C.A.; Juffermans, Nicole P.
• Is Part Of: Thrombosis research. Issue 196(2020)
• Page Start: 308
• Page End: 312
• Publication Date: 2020-12
• Subjects: aPTT activated partial thromboplastin time -- ARDS acute respiratory distress syndrome -- AUC area under the curve -- COVID-19 coronavirus disease 2019 -- CRP c-reactive protein -- CT computed tomography -- DVT deep venous thrombosis -- ICU intensive care unit -- INR international normalized ratio -- Kg kilogram -- LMWH low-molecular-weight heparin -- NPV negative predicting value -- PCR polymerase chain reaction -- PE pulmonary embolism -- PEEP positive end expiratory pressure -- PPV positive predicting value -- PT prothrombin time -- ROC receiver operating characteristics -- SARS-CoV-2 severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 -- VTE venous thromboembolism; COVID-19 -- C-reactive protein -- Critical illness -- D-dimer -- Venous thromboembolism; Thrombosis -- Periodicals; 616.135
• DOI: 10.1016/j.thromres.2020.09.017
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0049-3848

Abstract

Abstract: Background: Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a frequent complication in critically ill patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and is associated with mortality. Early diagnosis and treatment of VTE is warranted. Objective: To develop a prediction model for VTE in critically ill COVID-19 patients. Patients and methods: In this retrospective cohort study, 127 adult patients with confirmed COVID-19 infection admitted to the intensive care unit of two teaching hospitals were included. VTE was diagnosed with either ultrasound or computed tomography scan. Univariate receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were constructed for Positive End Expiratory Pressure, PaO2 /FiO2 ratio, platelet count, international normalized ratio, activated partial thromboplastin time as well as levels of fibrinogen, antithrombin, D-dimer and C-reactive protein (CRP). Multivariate analysis was done using binary linear regression. Results: Variables associated with VTE in both univariate and multivariate analysis were D-dimer and CRP with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.64, P = 0.023 and 0.75, P = 0.045, respectively. Variables indicating hypoxemia were not predictive. The ROC curve of D-dimer and CRP combined had an AUC of 0.83, P < 0.05. Categorized values of D-dimer and CRP were used to compute a mean absolute risk for the combination of these variables with a high positive predictive value. The predicted probability of VTE with a D-dimer > 15 in combination with a CRP > 280 was 98%. The negative predictive value of D-dimer was low. Conclusion: Elevated CRP and D-dimer have a high positive predictive value for VTE in critically ill COVID-19 patients. We developed a prediction table with these biomarkers that can aid clinicians in the timing of imaging in patients with suspected VTE. Highlights: Venous thromboembolisms are a frequently observed complication of COVID-19. Markers of oxygenation are not predictive of venous thromboembolism. Elevated C-reactive protein and D-dimer have the potential to predict venous thromboembolism. We created a prediction tool based on elevations in both CRP and D-dimer to optimize time of imaging.