Elevated D-dimers and lack of anticoagulation predict PE in severe COVID-19 patients.

Background COVID-19 may predispose to venous thromboembolism. We determined factors independently associated with computed tomography pulmonary angiography (CTPA)-confirmed pulmonary embolism (PE) in hospitalised severe COVID-19 patients. Methods Among all (N=349) patients hospitalised for COVID-19 in a university hospital in a French region with a high rate of COVID-19, we analysed patients who underwent CTPA for clinical signs of severe disease (SpO2≤93% or breathing rate≥30/min); or rapid clinical worsening. Multivariable analysis was performed using Firth penalised maximum likelihood estimates. Results In total, 162 patients (46.4%) underwent CTPA (mean age 65.6±13.0; 67.3% males (95% confidence interval (CI) 59.5–75.5%)). PE was diagnosed in 44 patients (27.2%). Most PE were segmental and the rate of PE-related right ventricular dysfunction was 15.9%. By multivariable analysis, the only two significant predictors of CTPA-confirmed PE were D-dimer level and the lack of any anticoagulant therapy (odds ratio (OR) 4.0 (95%CI 2.4–6.7) per additional quartile, and OR 4.5 (95%CI 1.1–7.4) respectively). ROC curve analysis identified a D-dimer cut-off value of 2590 ng·mL−1 to best predict occurrence of PE (AUC: 0.88, p 2590 ng·mL−1 was associated with a 17-fold increase in the adjusted risk of PE. Conclusion Elevated D-dimers (>2590 ng·mL−1) and absence of anticoagulant therapy predict PE in hospitalised COVID-19 patients with clinical signs of severity. These data strengthen the evidence base in favour of systematic anticoagulation, and suggest wider use of D-dimer guided CTPA to screen for PE in acutely ill hospitalised patients with COVID-19.