Prolonged elevation of D-dimer levels in convalescent COVID-19 patients is independent of the acute phase response.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Persistent fatigue, breathlessness, and reduced exercise tolerance have been reported following acute COVID-19 infection. Although immuno-thrombosis has been implicated in acute COVID-19 pathogenesis, the biological mechanisms underpinning long COVID remain unknown. We hypothesized that pulmonary microvascular immuno-thrombosis may be important in this context.

Methods

One hundred fifty COVID-19 patients were reviewed at St James's Hospital Dublin between May and September 2020 at a median of 80.5 (range 44-155) days after initial diagnosis. These included patients hospitalized during initial illness (n = 69) and others managed entirely as out-patients (n = 81). Clinical examination, chest x-ray, and 6-min walk tests were performed. In addition, a range of coagula

SUBMITTER: Townsend L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8013297 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature