Could Blood Thinning Drugs Help Save Covid 19 patients -Burning Issues – Free PDF Download

Introduction

• To save the world from the pandemic, Researchers from all over the world are working day in and day out to find the cure of the pandemic
• Amid this, researchers are counting on blood thinners

Why Blood Thinners

• When Covid-19 first emerged, it was thought the illness was a typical respiratory disease causing symptoms such as fever, sore throat, dry cough, and potentially lung infection and a build-up of fluid in the lungs making it difficult to breathe
• However, 30-70 per cent of Covid-19 patients admitted to intensive care units developed blood clots.
• These rates of blood clotting appear to be much higher than what is expected when compared with people who are hospitalised for reasons other than Covid-19

Pulmonary Embolism

•  Blood clots in the veins often present in the legs as deep vein thrombosis and are dislodged into the lungs, which is called a pulmonary embolism. Around one in four Covid-19 patients admitted to intensive care will develop a pulmonary embolism, where an artery in the lungs gets blocked.

• Arterial blood clots associated with Covid-19 can lead to strokes, including in younger patients, with potentially devastating outcomes.
•  In addition, Covid-19 appears to cause tiny blood clots that can block small vessels in the lungs. These “micro” blood clots may be a key reason why patients with Covid-19 often have very low oxygen levels.
• Likewise, elevated markers of blood clotting are associated with an increased risk of admission to the intensive care unit and a worse prognosis overall.
• Blood thinners are medications taken orally or intravenously (through a vein) to prevent a blood clot .

2 Types:

1. Antiplatelet drugs: Some blood thinners thin the blood to keep blood cells from sticking together in the veins and arteries.
2. Anticoagulant drugs: Others prevent blood clots by increasing the amount of time it takes for blood clots to form.

 Common Blood Thinners

• Examples of antiplatelet drugs are: Aspirin, Clopidogrel (Plavix), Dipyridamole (Persantine), Ticlopidine (Ticlid) Example of anticoagulant drugs are: Warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven), Enoxaparin (Lovenox), Heparin

Quantity of Blood Thinners

• Blood thinners must be taken exactly as directed. When you don’t take enough, the medication won’t be as effective. Taking too much can lead to severe bleeding.

• However, this finding has to be confirmed before the higher dose can be generally recommended.
• Fortunately, several research studies are underway in Europe, the UK and elsewhere to test and answer this question definitively.

Should a person take an aspirin in COVID19?

• No, it is not advisable to take aspirin or any other medicine without visiting the doctors.
• There is no evidence blood thinners are required to prevent blood clots for people with mild Covid-19 who are isolating at home.

Side Effects of Blood Thinners

•  Excessive bleeding is the most common reaction. It can occur in a variety of ways, including: heavy periods, bloody or discoloured urine, nosebleeds, bleeding gums, prolonged bleeding from a cut
• Other side effects include Dizziness, Muscle weakness, hair loss, rashes

Conclusion

• Understanding of Covid-19 and how the coronavirus attacks the body continues to rapidly evolve. Researchers from around the world are publishing data almost daily.
• However, not all of this research has been peer reviewed.

Conclusion

• Doctors are optimistic and hope clinical studies currently under way will show rigorous strategies for prevention and treatment of blood clotting will help to reduce severity and improve survival of patients with Covid-19.

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