Challenging the current hypothesis that thrombosis is responsible for the post-COVID-19 condition

Hunt, Beverley J, Kuehn, Rebecca, Fox, Tilly, Carson, Alan, Scandrett, Katie, Davey Smith, George and Garner, Paul ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0607-6941 (2024) 'Challenging the current hypothesis that thrombosis is responsible for the post-COVID-19 condition'. Research and Practice in Thrombosis and Haemostasis., Vol 8, Issue 4, e102442.

Preview

Text PIIS2475037924001316.pdf - Published Version Available under License Creative Commons Attribution Non-commercial No Derivatives. Download (431kB) | Preview

Abstract

People with the post-COVID-19 condition suffer symptoms that persist beyond 12 weeks following acute COVID-19 infection. Fatigue, shortness of breath, and cognitive dysfunction (“brain fog”) are common. Scientists, clinicians, and patients debate the pathophysiology. One pathophysiological hypothesis is that prothrombotic changes associated with acute COVID-19 persist, causing clots that lead to symptoms. This theory, arising from a research team in South Africa and supported by a paper in Nature Medicine, has been widely disseminated on social media and entered the public narrative as a cause of the post-COVID-19 condition.
We describe the development of this theory, examine the findings of a Cochrane review that critically appraises the “microclot” beliefs, and critically appraise the influential study relating clotting biomarkers to cognitive deficits. We conclude the inferences for the hypothesis are not based on evidence, unlicensed use of antithrombotic medication is not justified, and apheresis should not be considered outside of a well-designed clinical trial.

Item Type:	Article
Subjects:	WC Communicable Diseases > Virus Diseases > Viral Respiratory Tract Infections. Respirovirus Infections > WC 506 COVID-19 WG Cardiovascular System > WG 20 Research (General)
Faculty: Department:	Clinical Sciences & International Health > Clinical Sciences Department
Digital Object Identifer (DOI):	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rpth.2024.102442
Depositing User:	Christianne Esparza
Date Deposited:	20 Jun 2024 10:35
Last Modified:	20 Jun 2024 10:35
URI:	https://archive.lstmed.ac.uk/id/eprint/24751

Statistics

View details

Actions (login required)

Edit Item