Platelet activation state in early stages of COVID-19.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Platelet activation at the early stage of COVID-19 is poorly described. The need for antiplatelet therapy in patients with COVID-19 remains controversial. We characterized the platelet activation profile in hospitalized patients at the early stage of COVID-19 using the modified prothrombinase Platelet Activation State (PAS) Assay.

METHODS:

Sixteen patients admitted to the emergency department of the IRCCS San Raffaele Hospital (Milan, Italy) between February 8 and April 2021 were enrolled. All patients presented with respiratory symptoms and tested positive for severe acute respiratory syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Platelet activation was measured via the PAS Assay within 24 hours from patients' hospital admission. Data were compared with those measured in N.=24 healthy subjects (controls).

RESULTS:

Platelet activation was significantly higher in COVID-19 patients with respect to controls (PAS=0.63 [0.58-0.98%] vs. 0.46 [0.40-0.65%], respectively; P=0.03). Of note, highest PAS values were measured in the two patients with the worst clinical outcome, i.e., death because of respiratory failure (PAS=2.09% and 1.20%, respectively). No differences in standard coagulation parameters were noted between these two patients and those who were later discharged home.

CONCLUSIONS:

This study provides evidence of significant platelet activation state at the early stage of COVID-19 and suggests that the patient-specific platelet activation profile is a reliable clinical marker to stratify COVID-19 patients at high risk of poor clinical outcome who might potentially benefit from antiplatelet therapy.

• Authors: Filippo Consolo, Patrizia Della Valle, Marco Saracino, Marta Bonora, Giovanni Donadoni, Fabio Ciceri, Moreno Tresoldi, Armando D'Angelo, Giovanni Landoni, Alberto Zangrillo
• Journal: Minerva anestesiologica (Minerva Anestesiol) Vol. 88 Issue 6 Pg. 472-478 (06 2022) ISSN: 1827-1596 [Electronic] Italy
• PMID: 35315619 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors

Topics

• COVID-19
• Hospitalization
• Humans
• Platelet Activation
• Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors (therapeutic use)
• SARS-CoV-2