Surviving Covid-19 with Heparin?

Abstract

Patients who are admitted to the hospital with coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) are at high risk for thrombosis, particularly venous thromboembolism (VTE). In a meta-analysis of 66 studies, the overall prevalence of VTE among patients with Covid-19 was 14.1%, with the highest incidence (22.7%) among those admitted to intensive care units (ICUs).¹ Systemic hypercoagulability is a feature of Covid-19, and early studies have shown an association between plasma d-dimer levels and survival.² These data have prompted a search for better thrombosis prevention, considering that the high frequencies of VTE occurred in patients who were already receiving standard thromboprophylaxis, mostly with low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH). So the question arises: would higher doses be more effective and still be safe?