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Antiphospholipid (aPL) antibodies can arise transiently at times of viral diseases. The objective of this work was to evaluate the incidence of aPL antibodies in patients hospitalized in conventional unit for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection and confirmed venous thromboembolic events (VTE) associated with aPL antibodies. 41 patients infected with COVID-19 were tested for aPL antibodies. None had reported history of aPL syndrome. Arterial and venous duplex ultrasound of lower limbs was performed in all patients at Day 0 and Day 5. All patients had antithrombotic-prophylaxis upon admission using lower molecular weight heparin with Enoxaparin. Biological parameters were collected and analyzed. Nine patients (22%) developed VTE and seven (17%) were positive for aPL antibodies of which five had isolated positive lupus anticoagulant. The sixth patient was double aPL positive IgM anticardiolipin (147.8 U/ml) and anti-Beta2 Glyco protein 1 (97.3 U/ml) antibodies. The seventh was triple positive, IgM anticardiolipin 85.6 UI/ml, IgM anti-Beta2 Glyco protein 1 63.0 U/ml and positive lupus anticoagulant. Among the seven patients with aPL antibodies 2 (28.60%) had VTE. However, the incidence of VTE in patients negative for aPL antibodies was also significant as 20.6% (seven of 34). aPL antibodies were significantly associated with the transfer to ICUs of, P = 0.018. Not only the incidence of aPL antibodies was quite significant within our cohort, but also we observed 28.6% of VTE in aPL-positive patients. We strongly recommend routine testing for aPL antibodies in COVID-19 patients and systematic screening with duplex ultrasound search of vascular complications.

Objective COVID-19 patients may develop coagulopathy which is associated with poor prognosis and high risk of thrombosis. The objective of this work was to evaluate the prevalence of deep venous thrombosis of lower limbs (DVT) through ultrasonography in patients infected with COVID-19 admitted to hospital in conventional units with 5 days monitoring. The secondary objective was to determine if D-dimer levels body mass index (BMI) and C-reactive ; protein (CRP) were associated with DVT. Materials and Methods 72 patients with a mean age of 65±12.3 years infected with COVID-19 were admitted to three conventional units at our institution ,28 patients were women. A COVID-19 diagnosis was made by transcriptase polymerase chain reaction by means of nasopharyngeal swab or by chest computer tomography (CT) without iodine contrast media. Demographics ,co-morbidities characteristics and laboratory parameters were collected . A preventive anticoagulation treatment was established on admission with low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) . A complete venous duplex ultrasound (DU) test of lower limbs was performed on Day (D) 0 and D5 .A pulmonary CT angiograms with iodine contrast media (CTPA) was required when was ; suspected pulmonary embolism (PE). Results On D0 the DU showed acute DVT in seven patients (9.75%).A CTPA was performed in 12 patients (16.65%) ,3 of whom with an acute PE (25 %). On D0 acute DVT was not significantly associated with CRP (mean 101±98.6 in the group without DVT versus 67.6±58.4 mg/l p=0.43) or BMI ( 27.7 ±5.04 versus 28.1 ± 2.65 Kg/m2 p=0.54 ).However we found a significant association between acute DVT and D-dimer levels (1536±2347 versus 9652 ±10205 ng/ml p <0.01).Among the patients included on D0 only 32 had a DU on D5.Forty of them (55.55%) were not examined for the following reasons : 7 were previously diagnosed with VTE on D0 (9.7%) and therefore had been excluded on D5 8 (11%) had been transferred to the intensive care unit (ICU) 10 (14%) discharged from the hospital 5 (7%) died and 10 ( 13.9%) due to technical issues. On D5 5 patients had acute DVT (15.6%) in addition to those found on D0 3 were distal and 2 proximal despite preventive anticoagulation with LMWH. Conclusions Hospitalized non ICU patients with COVID-19 pneumonia have a high frequency of venous thrombotic events justifying screening with duplex ultrasound.

Introduction and objectives Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, increasing evidence suggests that infected patients present a high incidence of venous thromboembolic (VTE) events and elevated aminotransferases (AT).The objective of this work was to evaluate the incidence of aminotransferases disorders in patients infected with COVID-19 and to manage the VTE events associated with elevated AT. Patients or Materials and methods We report a retrospective study of 46 patients admitted for COVID-19 infection. Venous duplex ultrasound of lower limbs was performed in all patients at Day 0 and Day 5. All patients had antithrombotic-prophylaxis upon admission using low molecular weight heparin with Enoxaparin. Demographics, comorbidities and laboratory parameters were collected and analyzed. Results Elevated AT were reported in 28 patients (61%). 10 had acute VTE events of which eight (17.4%) had aminotransferases disorders. They had been treated with curative Enoxaparin. After a follow-up of 15 and/or 30 days, six of them were controlled, and treated with direct oral anticoagulant (DOACs) after normalization of aminotransferases. Conclusions The incidence of aminotransferases disorders associated with acute VTE events in patients infected with COVID-19 is significant. The use of DOACs appear pertinent in these patients. Monitoring of the liver balance should therefore be considered at a distance from the acute episode in the perspective of DOACs relay.