Spontaneous soft tissue hematomas in patients with severe COVID‑19 infection

Abstract

Relevance. Spontaneous hematomas (SG) appear after 2–3 weeks from the start of treatment for COVID infection and are observed mainly in elderly people with concomitant pathology. The predisposing factors for the development of SG in patients with COVID-19 are coagulopathies. The mortality rate in SG is 04–30 %, while in patients with COVID infection in severe cases increases to 30–50 %. The purpose of the study. To determine the role of coagulological changes in the development of soft tissue SG and to identify the features of the course, taking into account localization in patients with COVID infection. Materials and methods. The results of diagnosis and treatment of 54 patients with spontaneous hematomas were analyzed. The average age was 68.5 years (38–93), there were 45 women (83.3 %), 9 men (16.7 %). Lung damage by CT in most patients was severe. Anticoagulant and antiplatelet therapy was prescribed to all patients from the moment of admission. The management tactics of patients was carried out on the basis of a comprehensive instrumental assessment. Results. SG was mainly observed in retroperitoneal tissue (28) of patients, chest wall (14), rectus abdominis muscle (6), combination of hematoma of preperitoneal and retroperitoneal tissue (3), other localization of neck, hip, mediastinum (3). The volume of SG ranged from 60 to 2850 cm 3 . Unfractionated heparin was used as anticoagulant therapy. All patients had a statistically significant decrease in the level of hemoglobin and erythrocytes relative to the norm during all study periods (p < 0.05). The number of platelets decreased statistically significantly in the group with SG with localization in retroperitoneal tissue and in the chest (p < 0.05). The level of PH at admission was reduced in patients with SG with localization in retroperitoneal tissue and in the chest relative to the norm (p<0.05). The value of D-dimer was statistically significantly increased relative to the norm during all study periods in all groups. The treatment was aimed at correcting hemostasis, hemotransfusion with a decrease in hemoglobin levels below 60 g/l, plasma transfusion and thromboconcentrate. Conclusions. The severity of patients with SSG of various localization is due not only to the volume of SG against the background of COVID infection, but also to a variety of concomitant diseases, features of localization, volume and nature of SG. In patients who initially have deviations in the indicators of the hemostasis system, the risk of OHSS is higher, they need to more carefully select the optimal doses and the course of thromboprophylaxis. Early diagnosis using ultrasound, CT, X-ray endovascular hemostasis against the background of hemostatic therapy contributes to the stabilization of the condition and a favorable outcome.