High prevalence of deep venous thrombosis in non-severe COVID-19 patients hospitalized for a neurovascular disease

IntroductionSevere SARS-CoV-2 infection, responsible for COVID-19, is accompanied by venous thromboembolic events particularly in intensive care unit. In non-severe COVID-19 patients affected by neurovascular diseases, the prevalence of deep venous thrombosis (DVT) is unknown. The aim of or study was to report data obtained after systematic Doppler ultrasound scanning (DUS) of lower limbs in such patients. MethodsBetween March 20 and May 2, 2020, consecutive patients with neurovascular diseases with non-severe COVID-19 were investigated with a systematic bedside DUS. ResultsThirteen patients were enrolled including 10 acute ischemic strokes, one transient ischemic attack, one cerebral venous thrombosis and one haemorrhagic stroke. At admission the median National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) was of 6 (IQR, 0-20). We found a prevalence of 38.5% of asymptomatic calves DVT (n = 5) during the first week after admission despite thromboprophylaxis. Among them, one patient had a symptomatic pulmonary embolism. Two patients died during hospitalization but the outcome was favourable in the others with a discharge median NIHSS of 1 (IQR, 0-11). Discussion/ConclusionDespite thromboprophylaxis, systematic bedside DUS showed a high prevalence of 38.5% of DVT in non-severe COVID-19 patients with neurovascular diseases. Therefore, we suggest that this non-invasive investigation should be performed in all patients of this category.