How severe coronavirus provokes hypercoagulability and strokes

As the novel coronavirus pandemic progresses, scientists discover that some patients with severe development of COVID‑19 suffered from complications such as acute ischemic stroke (AIS). In order to understand this phenomenon, researchers turned to data and found out that these patients often developed the so-called hypercoagulability, the increased tendency of blood to thrombose. 

A healthy person only forms blood clots in case of bleeding, as a response to it. This ability of blood to clot is called coagulation. Hypercoagulability is a condition described by exaggerated coagulation or coagulation in the absence of bleeding. Clots can lead to myocardial infarctions and stroke, but also deep venous thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE), which are all very dangerous and potentially lethal conditions. 

For now, the exact mechanisms through which COVID‑19 leads to a hypercoagulable state in infected patients remain unclear. COVID-19 often begins with cough, fever and fatigue, and develops into acute respiratory distress syndrome at the later stages of the disease. Ischemic stroke is secondary to severe COVID-19, but it is common and fatal once it appears. 

A number of patients with COVID-19 have developed venous and arterial thrombosis, both conditions are associated with higher mortality rates. The autopsy analysis of 12 deceased patients at a research center in Germany revealed that 7 patients had venous thrombosis, and 4 had pulmonary embolism. A study from Tongji Hospital revealed 71.4% of non-survivors had disseminated intravascular coagulation. A condition shared by only 0.6% of survivors. 

Treatment of hypercoagulability during COVID

AIS during the COVID-19 outbreak is a disabling and lethal disease that cannot be ignored. Here are some ways to treat it. 

Currently, traditional antithrombotic treatments for COVID-19 with coagulopathy include anticoagulant therapy and thrombolytic therapy. Studies have shown that heparin can effectively reduce the mortality rate of patients with COVID-19 with increased coagulability.

New oral anticoagulants were also recommended during the COVID-19 pandemic due to their safety, convenience, and strong anticoagulant effects. During the anticoagulation treatment the doctor should assess the risk of bleeding. 

Rankel Cardiocode is the world’s first device, which can measure phase volumes of blood in a person’s body and assess heart resources. Able to identify signs of possible sudden cardiac death and predict heart attacks and strokes, it is an invaluable tool to help fight AIS during COVID-19 pandemic.  

Here are the measurements that the device can offer:

• function and general condition of the person’s aorta and other large arteries;
• state of coronary and venous flows;
• synchronization between the greater and lesser circulation systems.

Rankel Cardiocode offers the highest level in cardiovascular diagnostics. It is widely used by cardiologists, family doctors, health practitioners, ambulance, sport clubs and teams, hospitals and clinics for health screening.