Anticoagulants and antiaggregants in the COVID-19 era

Abstract

Review of the latest scientific data and the main provisions of clinical guidelines on the use of anticoagulants and antiaggregants in patients with COVID-19 is presented. A separate part of the paper focuses on the use of prasugrel in this group of patients. The main trend in the use of anticoagulants for the prevention of venous thromboembolism in COVID-19 infection can be considered as a decrease in drug activity. Thus, the experts of the American Hematological Society suggest using low doses of oral or parenteral anticoagulants for thromboprophylaxis in hospitalized patients, preferring them to intermediate or high doses. Virtually all experts agree that prophylactic anticoagulant use should be avoided in clinical practice in patients with COVID-19 who are on outpatient treatment (whether it was chosen as an initial tactic or was a continuation of inpatient treatment). The principles for the therapeutic use of anticoagulants in COVID-19 should be based on already existing clinical guidelines for the conditions that require anticoagulants (atrial fibrillation, venous thrombosis or thromboembolism, presence of mechanical valves, etc.). The use of antiaggregants in patients with COVID-19 outside their registered indications is currently continuing to be studied in several clinical trials. That said, as part of dual antiplatelet therapy after percutaneous coronary intervention for COVID-19, it is advisable to continue this treatment without cancelling any of its components without a specific indication. The same is true for prasugrel, which remains one of the first recommended potent P2Y12 inhibitors.