Effect of anticoagulant therapy on the severity symptoms of hospitalized patients with COVID-19

Abstract

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been associated with a hypercoagulable state, contributing to disease severity and increased mortality. Thrombotic complications, including venous thromboembolism (VTE) and microvascular thrombosis, have been frequently reported in hospitalized patients. So, the study aimed to evaluate the effect of anticoagulant therapy on the severity of symptoms and clinical outcomes in hospitalized COVID-19 patients. An analytical retrospective, single-center study was conducted on hospitalized adult patients diagnosed with COVID-19. Demographic, clinical, and laboratory parameters, including age, hospitalization duration, ICU stay, ventilation, and biochemical markers, were compared across severity groups in patients <18 years. All patients received anticoagulation therapy according to hospital guidelines for at least one week, with exclusions for prior anticoagulant use, thrombosis, or incomplete records. Patients receiving anticoagulant therapy, particularly low molecular weight heparin (LMWH), showed a significant reduction in disease severity, ICU admission rates, and in-hospital mortality compared to those not receiving anticoagulation (P <0.05). The incidence of thrombotic events was also lower among anticoagulated patients. However, bleeding complications were observed in a small proportion of patients, emphasizing the need for individualized risk assessment. Anticoagulant therapy, especially LMWH, may reduce the severity and improve clinical outcomes in hospitalized COVID-19 patients. Despite its benefits, anticoagulation should be carefully administered based on thrombotic and bleeding risks. Further randomized controlled trials are needed to confirm these findings and to establish evidence-based protocols for anticoagulant use in COVID-19 treatment.