Venous Doppler ultrasound in critically Ill COVID-19 patients: game changer in anticoagulation therapy

BACKGROUND: COVID-19 infection has been associated with a high rate of thrombotic events, such as deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and acute pulmonary embolism (APE). METHODS: The purpose of our retrospective study was to evaluate the prevalence of asymptomatic DVT in lower limbs in critically ill COVID-19 patients (n = 23) with severe respiratory failure and high levels of D-dimer by bedside Doppler ultrasound (DU). RESULTS: DVT was diagnosed in 14 cases (60.87%), 5 in proximal venous territory and 9 in infrapopliteal veins. Computed Tomography Pulmonary Angiography (CTPA) was performed in six patients and all of them showed acute pulmonary embolism (APE) at segmental or subsegmental branches of pulmonary arteries. These patients (APE or DVT confirmed) were treated with therapeutic doses of anticoagulant therapy. CONCLUSION: In critically COVID-19 ill ICU patients with severe respiratory failure and elevated D-dimer, the incidence of asymptomatic DVT is high. We propose that DU allows detection of DVT in asymptomatic patients, adding a factor that may balance the decision to fully anticoagulate these patients.