COVID-19 coagulopathy: is it disseminated intravascular coagulation?

One of the significant complications of severe COVID-19 infections is a coagulopathy that seems to be related to the occurrence of venous and arterial thromboembolic disease. The coagulation changes mimic but are not identical to disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). The vast majority of patients with COVID-19 do not meet the criteria for usual forms of DIC. In addition, there seem to be features of a strong local pulmonary thrombotic microangiopathy and direct endothelial cell infection and injury by the virus that affect the coagulopathic response to severe COVID-19. It seems COVID-19 leads to a distinct intravascular coagulation syndrome that may need separate diagnostic criteria.

Automated summary

Severe COVID-19 infections can lead to coagulopathy related to both venous and arterial thromboembolic disease, with characteristics that are similar but not identical to DIC. The virus's direct infection and damage to endothelial cells affect the coagulation response to COVID-19, potentially requiring separate diagnostic criteria for this distinct intravascular coagulation syndrome.