Low incidence of venous thrombosis but high incidence of arterial thrombotic complications among critically ill COVID-19 patients in Singapore

Thromb J. 2021 Mar 8;19(1):14. doi: 10.1186/s12959-021-00268-9.

Abstract

Background: Arterial and venous thrombosis are reported to be common in critically ill COVID-19 patients.

Method and results: This is a national multicenter retrospective observational study involving all consecutive adult COVID-19 patients who required intensive care units (ICU) admission between 23 January 2020 and 30 April 2020 in Singapore. One hundred eleven patients were included and the venous and arterial thrombotic rates in ICU were 1.8% (n = 2) and 9.9% (n = 11), respectively. Major bleeding rate was 14.8% (n = 16).

Conclusions: Critically ill COVID-19 patients in Singapore have lower venous thromboembolism but higher arterial thrombosis rates and bleeding manifestations than other reported cohorts.

Keywords: COVID-19; Critical care; Thrombosis.