Brian McClure was hospitalized with pneumonia caused by the coronavirus. Up to 30% of patients seriously ill with coronavirus show signs of dangerous thrombosis – this is the alarming conclusion reached by British medical experts. Clots that form in the blood can be responsible for many deaths. They form as a result of severe inflammation of the lungs, which is the body’s natural response to the presence of a virus.
Meanwhile, patients around the world are suffering from numerous complications caused by the virus, which can lead to death. In March, as the COVID-19 pandemic spread rapidly around the world, doctors began to notice a noticeable increase in thrombosis cases. Other unpleasant discoveries include hundreds of microthrombi in the lungs of some coronavirus patients. The virus also causes deep vein thrombosis, which typically affects the legs. When blood clots break off, they can travel to the lungs and block blood vessels, which is extremely life-threatening.
Artist Brian McClure was hospitalized in April with severe pneumonia caused by the coronavirus. But soon after the scan, it became clear that an even greater threat was hanging over his life. “I went for a lung X-ray and it turned out that I had blood clots in my lungs. They told me it was very dangerous,” says Brian. “That was when I started to get really worried. I realized that if I didn’t get better, it would be a big disaster. Fortunately, Brian is already home recovering.
The scan revealed dangerous blood clots in Brian’s lungs. We explain quickly, simply, and clearly what happened, why it matters, and what will happen next. The Episodes End of story: Podcast Advertising. “In recent weeks, a lot of information has come in and it has become clear that thrombosis is a significant problem,” said Professor Rupen Aria of the Royal College London Hospital. “This is particularly true for patients in critical condition with COVID-19, as recent studies have shown that almost half of these patients suffer from pulmonary embolism, or blood clots in the lungs.” Professor Aria believes that the number of severely ill coronavirus patients who develop blood clots is significantly higher than the 30% figure cited in official European data. A group of scientists under his leadership is studying in a hospital setting how the coronavirus changes the blood of patients, making it thicker. And thicker blood leads to the formation of blood clots. Such changes in the blood occur as a result of severe inflammation in the lungs, which is the body’s response to the virus. “In critically ill patients, we observe an increase in the presence of chemicals in the blood that activate the formation of blood clots,” explains Professor Aria. This, in turn, leads to a deterioration of the patient’s condition. According to thrombosis specialist Professor Beverly Hunt, thick blood is dangerous not only because it leads to the formation of blood clots, but also because it increases the risk of heart attack and stroke. “And yes, thick blood leads to increased mortality,” says Professor Hunt.
Lung scans of patients with coronavirus showed an unusually high presence of blood clots. On top of all these problems, the blood thinners used today do not always work. And a significant increase in their dosage can lead to bleeding, which can be fatal. As Professor Aria says, it is necessary to maintain a delicate balance between treating thrombosis and provoking bleeding. Fortunately, doctors from around the world have joined forces to find the safest and most effective treatment for viral thrombosis. Clinical trials are underway to determine the optimal dosage of blood-thinning medications that can be used universally. However, some experts believe that the problem can be solved in a different way: by finding a way to reduce the acute lung inflammation that leads to the development of blood clots.