TEG May Predict the Clinical Course of COVID-19 in Hospitalized Patients

A thromboelastography (TEG) test can help predict outcomes for patients hospitalized with COVID-19, according to data presented at the American College of Emergency Physicians 2021 annual meeting.

“The use of TEG measurements in those hospitalized at [Naval Medical Center Portsmouth] with COVID-19 infection confirms the hypercoagulable state previously reported in COVID-19 patients,” the researchers wrote. “It may have a role as a tool to predict clinical courses or to direct anticoagulation or antiplatelet therapy to reduce morbidity and mortality.”

To conduct their study, the researchers enrolled all adults with a COVID-19 diagnosis. A TEG was performed upon admission to the hospital. Demographic data, anticoagulation therapy use, medical history and other data were collected from patient charts. A total of 31 men and 22 women were included in the analysis.

Overall, the researchers found that the maximum amplitude and TEG coagulation indexes correlated the most with day of illness. Peak coagulation indexes also correlated with length of hospital stay, and 91% of patients had remained hypercoagulable upon discharge from the hospital.

“The preponderance of individual TEG components showed progression towards hypercoagulation as days of illness progressed, with 92% of subjects having at least one TEG value outside the reference range, even with the vast majority of patients receiving either therapeutic or prophylactic anticoagulants,” the researchers concluded.

—Amanda Balbi

Reference:

Stuart S, Treager C, Lopachin T, et al; Combat Trauma Research Group. Thromboelastic profiles of patients with coronavirus (COVID-19) pneumonia. Paper presented at: American College of Emergency Physicians 2021; October 25-28, 2021; Virtual. https://www.annemergmed.com/article/S0196-0644(21)00930-6/fulltext