Low rates of venous thromboembolism in hospitalised COVID-19 patients: an Australian experience.

Ong, Jeremy; Walker, Patricia; Singh, Kasha P; Bishop, Emma; Htun, Kay

BACKGROUND Venous thromboembolic (VTE) complications appear common in hospitalised COVID-19 patients, particularly among critically ill patients in intensive care units. However, there is significant heterogeneity in the reported use of thromboprophylaxis. AIMS The primary objective was to determine rates of symptomatic VTE in hospitalised COVID-19 patients. Secondary objectives were to assess adherence to an institutional risk-adapted thromboprophylaxis guideline, and rates of bleeding complications. METHODS A retrospective, single-centre, cohort study was performed in consecutive hospitalised COVID-19 patients over a six-month period (March - August 2020). Enoxaparin was used as thromboprophylaxis in all patients without a contraindication, with dose adjusted according to disease severity, weight and renal function. RESULTS Among 86 hospitalised COVID-19 patients, no VTEs were identified. Eighty-one patients (94%) received anticoagulation, with 90% adherence to institutional thromboprophylaxis guidelines. Four bleeding events occurred, with one clinically relevant non-major bleeding event and three minor bleeding events. CONCLUSION Low rates of VTE were identified in hospitalised COVID-19 patients using a risk- adapted thromboprophylaxis protocol. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.