Severe bleeding complications resulting in death following anticoagulant treatment in COVID-19 surgical patients

Abstract

Microthrombi formation in the pulmonary circulation is one of the main pathophysiological mechanisms responsible for the unfavorable respiratory evolution of CoViD-19 patients. Low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) anticoagulant therapy is a major pillar of treatment. But sometimes LMWH causes severe complications that can result in death. This is a retrospective, descriptive study, covering September 2020 and presenting 3 cases of severe hemorrhages followed by death in COVID-19 anticoagulated patients in therapeutic doses with LMWH in the hospital units of origin. Patients had hematomas of the rectus abdominal muscles and hemoperitoneum (2 cases) respectively hematoma of left gluteal muscles (1 case). The 2 patients with hematoma of rectus abdominal muscles were operated. The death occurred between 1-4 days after hospitalization.