SARS-CoV-2 antibody research in patients with unprovoked pulmonary embolism in COVID-19 pandemic period

OBJECTIVE: Due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, a significant increase has been observed in patients diagnosed with pulmonary embolism (PE) in our clinic. In addition to COVID-19-related PE, the increase in the number of patients with unprovoked or idiopathic PE was also noteworthy. Although it is not surprising that PE due to immobilization was observed in elderly patients and patients with comorbidities at risk for PE during the pandemic, it is important to investigate the increase in the number of unprovoked PE. Thus, we aimed to show that a previous COVID-19 infection may be a risk factor in these patients by examining the presence of severe acute respiratory syndrome-causing coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) antibodies in patients diagnosed with unprovoked PE. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The participants of the study consisted of 45 consecutive patients who were diagnosed with PE in our clinic, had no risk factors for PE, were considered unprovoked (idiopathic) PE, and had no history of COVID-19. SARS-CoV-2 antibody titers were measured in the serum samples of the patients for detecting immunity as a result of encountering COVID-19. RESULTS: Of the 45 patients diagnosed with PE, 24 (53.3%) patients were diagnosed with computed tomography pulmonary angiogram (CTPA), and 21 (46.7%) patients were diagnosed with perfusion single-photon emission computed tomography (Q-SPECT/CT). Immunity acquired after encountering COVID-19 was checked with the NCP kit, which revealed positive results in 9 (20%) patients. CONCLUSION: It should be kept in mind that some of the patients diagnosed with idiopathic PE during the pandemic may have embolism due to asymptomatic COVID-19. In addition, it is now known that COVID-19 also creates a tendency toward thrombosis in asymptomatic patients. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s11239-022-02703-8.