COVID-19 Antithrombotic Rivaroxaban Evaluation

Initial studies suggest an inflammatory state and hypercoagulation in individuals with COVID-19. Apparently, the fact that the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) spike protein binds to Angiotensin Converting Enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptors can lead to ACE2 depletion by SARS-CoV-2 favoring the "harmful" ACE1 / angiotensin II and promoting tissue damage, including stroke. Recent observational studies indicate a higher rate of thromboembolism in patients with COVID-19, especially those in severe condition. They also report that, in patients treated with anticoagulants, complication rates were lower as compared with those not receiving anticoagulant therapies. More recently, in a post-mortem study of patients with Covid-19 compared to recently published cases of influenza, the histopathological pattern on the periphery of the lungs of patients with Covid-19 revealed a diffuse alveolar lesion with infiltration of perivascular T cells and other vascular aspects, consisting of severe endothelial damage (endothelitis) associated with the presence of intracellular viruses and broken cell membranes. In addition, pulmonary vessels showed generalized thrombosis with microangiopathy, and alveolar capillary microthrombi were much more frequent in patients with COVID-19 than with severe influenza respiratory conditions.