The vascular nature of COVID-19. Link to paper on The British Journal of Radiology Authors Matthijs Oudkerk, Dirkjan Kuijpers, Sytse F Oudkerk, & Edwin JR van Beek. Abstract A potential link between mortality, D-dimer values & a prothrombotic syndrome has been reported in COVID-19 patients. The National Institute for Public Health of the Netherlands published a report for guidance on diagnosis, prevention & treatment of thromboembolic complications in COVID-19 with a new vascular disease concept. The analysis of all available current medical, laboratory & imaging data on COVID-19 confirms that symptoms & diagnostic tests can not be explained by impaired pulmonary ventilation. Further imaging & pathological investigations confirm that the COVID-19 syndrome is explained by perfusion disturbances first in the lung, but consecutively in all organs of the body. Damage of the microvasculature by SARS 1 & SARS 2 (COVID-19) viruses causes microthrombotic changes in the pulmonary capillaries & organs leading to macrothrombosis & emboli. Therefore anticoagulant profylaxis, close lab & CT imaging monitoring & early anticoagulant therapy are indicated. Related links Link to paper on The British Journal of Radiology Professor Edwin van Beek BIR podcast Lungs / respiratory What is a CT scan? 24 Apr 20. COVID-19 Press release 23 Apr 20. Featured Paper. Diagnosis, prevention, & treatment of thromboembolic complications in COVID-19: report of the National Institute for Public Health of the Netherlands. Social media tags & titles Featured paper: The vascular nature of COVID-19. @SINAPSECENTRE @BIR_News @BJR_Radiology Publication date 21 Aug, 2020
