Thrombosis in those who have had coronavirus is common, and against its background, a critical deterioration in the blood supply to the limbs can develop, which leads to amputation, said Andrey Chupin, MD, head of the department of vascular surgery at the Vishnevsky National Medical Research Center for Surgery of the Russian Ministry of Health.
“Covid itself gives serious complications to the cardiovascular system, primarily to the blood coagulation system, so thrombosis in those who have had this infection, unfortunately, is very common,” Chupin said in an interview with RIA Novosti.
The doctor emphasized that the arteries of the upper and lower extremities are mainly affected, and against the background of thrombosis, severe ischemia can develop - a critical deterioration in blood supply. As a result, the case can reach the amputation of a limb.
“There were many such cases during the pandemic,” Chupin said.
There is no clear pattern in the time of development of thrombosis after COVID-19, the expert added. According to him, this can happen both at the peak of the disease in severe patients, and after a few months. The risk persists for a long time. The more severely a person was ill, the longer inflammatory and fibrotic changes in the lungs and other negative manifestations will persist, which increase the risk of thrombotic complications, Chupin said.
He stated that patients with atherosclerosis are also at risk, especially if they have previously undergone vascular surgery.
Those who have had a milder form of coronavirus and do not have initial atherosclerosis are usually not included in the risk group, however, they also need to control the situation.
“It happens that patients safely endure the peak of the disease itself, but later, if they are left without the cover of anticoagulant or antiplatelet therapy, they face thrombosis,” Chupin explained.