Coagulation Testing for COVID-19-Associated Coagulopathy

The COVID-19 outbreak continues to cause worldwide havoc, and scientists are extremely concerned about developing antidotes for the new coronavirus that has been infecting people since the end of last year. Research teams and scientific researchers are exploring numerous ways to develop medical treatments to combat COVID-19 extensively in the world. The COVID-19 outbreak is holding the door open for collaboration and coordination, so trauma intensive care physicians and attendants can use their resources and apply them in the critical care setting to deal with new problems.

Patients of COVID-19 are being screened for blood clotting abnormalities such as COVID-19 associated coagulopathy. The most common pattern of blood coagulation observed in patients suffering from COVID-19 is identified by elevation in fibrinogen and D-dimer levels. This leads to an identification of a parallel increase in signs of inflammation. Since COVID-19 primarily affects the respiratory system, which is responsible for the continuous purification and oxygenation of the blood, the diagnosis of COVID-19 leads to succeeding blood coagulation tests.

What is Coagulation Testing, and How Does it Work?

Coagulation testing is the process to evaluate blood's capacity to clot and to detect changes in the blood's physical characteristics, including the CBC (complete blood count), factor V assay, fibrinogen levels, platelet count, bleeding time and PT (prothrombin time). Coagulopathy checks play a prominent role in helping the physician determine the risk for liver disease, thrombophilia, which is excessive blood clotting, and hemophilia, which is the inability of the blood to clot normally. The use of coagulation testing in hospitals and clinical laboratories for hematology and thrombosis diagnosis is becoming increasingly widespread due to the benefits and quick turnaround time of the results.

Coagulation tests are performed to determine whether a person's blood clotting ability is adequate to assess the blood flow in blood vessels so that it doesn't lead to thrombosis (ability to clot) or excessive bleeding. The coagulation function level can be absent or low, resulting in coagulation impairment due to some of the developed or hereditary deficiencies. The factor levels can also be excessive and cause thrombosis or cause excessive clot formation in the blood. Automated coagulation analyzers have made it possible to quickly and effectively screen coagulation.

What is Coagulation Testing for Coronavirus?

In hospitalized patients with COVID-19 by far, the most apparent type of coagulopathy is linked to elevated D-dimer levels and fibrinogen in patients, which leads to a parallel rise in inflammation markers such as CRP. Increased progression in severely affected COVID-19 patients to coagulopathy is rare due to open International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis  DIC (Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation) requirements and multiple organ failures. Moderate to severe thrombocytopenia, PT and aPTT extension, extreme D-dimer elevation, and reduced fibrinogen; these levels indications are a required criterion in the ISTH requirements.

The rising prevalence of cardiovascular diseases and blood abnormalities is expected to provide lucrative opportunities for the coagulation testing industry. Continuous blood flow and bleeding tests are required throughout the body of the patient, which is anticipated to boost the demand for coagulation tests.

The world market for coagulation testing has grown significantly, owing to the increasing demand for coagulation treatment processes for cardiovascular diseases. As people become more aware of the benefits that early diagnosis offers, the market for coagulation testing will increase. High use of coagulation testing procedures for COVID-19 patients to check blood flow would drive the demand for coagulation testing in this unexpected situation. Even after COVID-19 has been controlled, due to the growth of innovative and advanced healthcare facilities, the market will continue to grow.

How Should We Treat DIC Associated with COVID-19?

The medication of the any underlying condition is extremely important for all coagulopathies as they weaken the immune system. COVID-19 infection frequently leads to bleeding; therefore, the supporting treatment should be individualized, including blood product transfusion. Blood component therapy should not be performed alone based on the findings from laboratories but reserved for people who have significant bleeding or are at high risk of bleeding complications, otherwise involving an invasive operation. There are traditional bleeding risk factors. No clear cutoffs for hematological parameters are accepted. There is no scientific proof that the adjustment of laboratory parameters with blood products helps in improving the results of patients who do not bleed. Removing thrombosis may deteriorate, as well as other scarce blood products may deplete.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the COVID 19 pandemic looks to be having a positive impact on the coagulation testing market even though there is a dire impact on the rest of the world. The coagulation testing market is not solely dependent on this surge of demand due to the COVID 19 pandemic. Coagulation testing has been a staple procedure for a wide variety of diagnoses and pre-surgical procedures. Considering this criticality of coagulation testing in medical procedures that one would find to be normal in a non-pandemic world implies that the coagulation testing market will thrive even after this high surge of demand post the pandemic and makes for a potentially lucrative investment.

About the Author(s)

Princy A. J

Princy holds a bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from the prestigious Tamil Nadu Dr. M.G.R. University at Chennai, India. After a successful academic record, she pursued her passion for writing. A thorough professional and enthusiastic writer, she enjoys writing on various categories and advancements in the global industries. She plays an instrumental role in writing about current updates, news, blogs, and trends.