Although primarily affecting the respiratory system, COVID-19 causes multiple organ damage. One of its grave consequences is a prothrombotic state that manifests as thrombotic, microthrombotic and thromboembolic events. Therefore, understanding the effect of antiplatelet and anticoagulation therapy in the context of COVID-19 treatment is important. The aim of this rapid review was to highlight the role of thrombosis in COVID-19 and to provide new insights on the use of antithrombotic therapy in its management. A rapid systematic review was performed using preferred reporting items for systematic reviews. Papers published in English on antithrombotic agent use and COVID-19 complications were eligible. Results showed that the use of anticoagulants increased survival and reduced thromboembolic events in patients. However, despite the use of anticoagulants, patients still suffered thrombotic events likely due to heparin resistance. Data on antiplatelet use in combination with anticoagulants in the setting of COVID-19 are quite scarce. Current side effects of anticoagulation therapy emphasise the need to update treatment guidelines. In this rapid review, we address a possible modulatory role of antiplatelet and anticoagulant combination against COVID-19 pathogenesis. This combination may be an effective form of adjuvant therapy against COVID-19 infection. However, further studies are needed to elucidate potential risks and benefits associated with this combination.

Although primarily affecting the respiratory system, COVID-19 causes multiple organ damage. One of its grave consequences is a prothrombotic state that manifests as thrombotic, microthrombotic, and thromboembolic events.Therefore, understanding the effect of antiplatelet and anticoagulation therapy in the context of COVID-19 treatment is important. The aim of this rapid review is to highlight the role of thrombosis in COVID-19 and provide new insights on the use of antithrombotic therapy in its management. A rapid systematic review was performed using preferred reporting items for systematic reviews. Papers published in English on antithrombotic agent use and COVID-19 complications were eligible. Results showed that the use of anticoagulants increased survival and reduced thromboembolic events in patients. However, despite the use of anticoagulants, patients still suffered thrombotic events likely due to heparin resistance. Data on antiplatelet use in combination with anticoagulants in the setting of COVID-19 is quite scarce. Current side effects of anticoagulation therapy emphasize the need to update treatment guidelines. In this rapid review, we address a possible modulatory role of antiplatelet and anticoagulant combination against COVID‐19 pathogenesis. This combination may be an effective form of adjuvant therapy against COVID‐19 infection. However, further studies are needed to elucidate potential risks and benefits associated with this combination.

Background Cardiovascular disease, and more recently, subclinical cardiac dysfunction have both been implicated as important risk factors for cognitive decline. Several measures have been used to detect subclinical cardiac dysfunction, with global longitudinal strain (GLS) emerging as an important and more sensitive indicator than traditional measures. Yet, the association of GLS with cognitive function remains relatively unexplored. Objective The aim of this review is to systematically summarize the literature exploring the association between GLS and cognitive function. Methods We conducted a systematic review of the literature following PRISMA guidelines using the following databases: PubMed, OVID Medline, Embase, Web of Science, and CINAHL. Inclusion criteria were observational studies published in English, measuring GLS and assessing cognitive function through neuropsychiatric tests or brain imaging. Quality assessment was done using the Newcastle Ottawa Scale. Results The initial search revealed 394 studies, of which three met inclusion criteria and were included for final review. The three studies included were cross-sectional and of high quality. They all reported that lower GLS scores were associated? with worse cognitive function and more brain abnormalities in both bivariate and multivariable analysis. Conclusion Subclinical cardiac dysfunction, identified by GLS, was associated with worse cognitive function and presence of cerebral abnormality on brain imaging. The underlying mechanism could be attributed to dysfunctional autoregulatory and microvascular processes occurring in the brain vasculature. Further longitudinal studies are needed to better delineate the relationship between GLS and cognitive function.