Coronavirus Disease 2019-Related Extensive Thrombosis in a Patient Receiving Therapeutic Anticoagulation With Dabigatran. (December 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ross, Robert C.; Hendrickson, Andrew L.; Boraas, Miranda P.; Rosen, Abbie N.; Franck, Andrew J.
• Is Part Of: Hospital pharmacy. Volume 57:Number 6(2022)
• Page Start: 774
• Page End: 778
• Publication Date: 2022-12
• Subjects: critical care -- anticoagulants -- COVID -- pharmacokinetics; Hospital pharmacies -- Periodicals; Pharmacy Service, Hospital; Hospital pharmacies; Periodicals; Periodicals; 615.1
• DOI: 10.1177/00185787221108715
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0018-5787

Abstract

Introduction and Objective: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is associated with respiratory failure and a hypercoagulable state. Studies have shown the use of oral anticoagulants, specifically dabigatran, can significantly decrease mortality from COVID-19. Dabigatran is an oral direct thrombin inhibitor commonly used for nonvalvular atrial fibrillation and for the treatment or prevention of venous thromboembolism. The association of COVID-19-related extensive thrombosis while receiving full therapeutic anticoagulation with dabigatran has not been well-established in current literature.Case Report: We present a 73-year-old male patient with a history of persistent atrial fibrillation anticoagulated with dabigatran presenting with an active COVID-19 infection admitted to the intensive care unit. On hospital day 7, he developed extensive arterial and venous thromboembolisms. To our knowledge, this is the first published case of COVID-19-related extensive thrombosis while receiving full therapeutic anticoagulation with dabigatran.Discussion: Guidelines recommend prophylactic or therapeutic-dose anticoagulation with unfractionated heparin or low-molecular weight heparin for all patients if no contraindications exist; however, recommendations for the use of therapeutic oral anticoagulants have not been well established. Further studies are warranted to establish appropriate use of oral anticoagulants in the setting of COVID-19.Conclusion: Evidence from this report suggests clinicians should closely monitor patients at risk for hypercoagulability regardless of the anticoagulation therapy the patient may be receiving. Additionally, evidence from this case suggests a possible inferiority in the anticoagulation ability of dabigatran in patients with active COVID-19.