Acute Pulmonary Artery Thrombosis despite Anticoagulation in Patients with COVID-19 Pneumonia: A Single-Center Retrospective Cohort Study

Abstract

(1) Background: We aimed to describe the clinical and imaging characteristics of patients diagnosed with pulmonary artery thrombosis (PAT) despite receiving anticoagulation with low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH). (2) Methods: We retrospectively studied all hospitalized COVID-19 adult patients diagnosed with PAT between March 2020 and December 2021, who received LMWH for ≥72 h until the diagnosis of PAT. Acute PAT was confirmed by a CT pulmonary angiogram. (3) Results: We included 30 severe and critical COVID-19 patients. Median age was 62 (54–74) years, with 83.3% males, and comorbidities seen in 73.3%. PAT was diagnosed despite prophylactic (23.3%), intermediate (46.6%) or therapeutic (30%) doses of LMWH for a median time of 8 (4.7–12) days. According to their Wells score, 80% of patients had a low probability of pulmonary embolism diagnosis. PAT was localized in the lower lobes of the lungs in 76.6% of cases with 33.3% having bilateral involvement, with the distal, peripheral arteries being the most affected. At the PAT diagnosis we found a worsening of respiratory function, with seven patients progressing to mechanical ventilation (p = 0.006). The in-hospital mortality was 30%. (4) Conclusions: PAT should be considered in patients with severe and critical COVID-19, mainly in elderly male patients with comorbidities, irrespective of Wells score and LMWH anticoagulation.