Role of Thromboelastography and Thromboelastometry in Predicting Risk of Hypercoagulability and Thrombosis in Critically Ill COVID-19 Patients: A Qualitative Systematic Review

Abstract

Thromboelastography and rotational thromboelastometry are the viscoelastic point of care devices that use whole blood samples to assess coagulation and fibrinolysis. These devices give information from initiation of the coagulation cascade, activation of clotting factors to fibrin cross-linking, and contribution of fibrinogen and platelet to clot strength and clot lysis. Viscoelastic point of care tests are well established in hypocoaguable states like trauma, cardiac surgery, liver transplantation, and their use in critical care settings with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is not so well-known. We performed a systematic review of studies on thromboelastography and rotational thromboelastometry and their modifications to assess their role in critically ill patients with COVID-19. Inclusion criteria were any kind of studies using thromboelastography or rotational thromboelastometry during coronavirus disease critical illness published in English. Ninety-three articles, from December 1, 2019, to August 31, 2020, were identified in the initial search, out of which 12 articles (a total of 380 patients) satisfied the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Thromboelastography and rotational thromboelastometry were observed to detect the hypercoagulable changes and fibrinolysis shutdown associated with COVID-19. Hypercoagulability is associated with an increased risk of venous thrombosis and micro-thrombosis. This review identifies the role of thromboelastography and rotational thromboelastometry in studying the mechanisms contributing to coagulopathy and incidence of thrombosis in COVID-19.