The coronavirus outbreak has spread across the globe and is affecting the way we all live. As this outbreak is occurring, we are learning more about possible connections with other conditions, including blood disorders. If you have any questions or concerns, it is important to discuss your individual condition with your healthcare provider.

Below is that latest news from the International Society of Thrombosis and Haemostasis:

Firstly, having a blood clot does not increase your risk of acquiring COVID-19. Taking anticoagulants (blood-thinning medication) for a blood clot disorder does not increase your risk of acquiring COVID-19. Some expert consensus now recommends that COVID-19 patients receive anticoagulant medication to prevent thrombosis, but every case is different and our understanding of the disease is still emerging - so it is important that if you are admitted to hospital with COVID-19 you speak to your doctor about the risk of thrombosis. 

With regards to blood clots, testing for d-dimer levels is commonly performed to rule out a deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or pulmonary embolism (PE). It is important to remember that d-dimer levels are also elevated during infections such as with COVID-19. Even though blood clots elevate the levels of d-dimer in the blood, so do other conditions, and high d-dimer levels does not necessarily mean you have a blood clot.

However, being hospitalised for COVID-19 may increase your risk of developing a blood clot such as a DVT or PE due to being immobilised for an extended period. As many are now working from home or self-isolating it is important to remember that long-term bed rest or long periods of sitting or not moving around can also increase your risk of blood clots.

To combat this, remember to get up and walk around at least once every hour to two hours. Try to stretch and move your legs often while you sit and try to exercise regularly.

                    

COVID-19 Procedures at Perth Blood Institute

During the COVID-19 pandemic, our clinical trial clinic remains open for both prospective and existing clinical trial patients. We are in constant communication with pharmaceutical companies to ensure that PBI is adapting clinical trial protocols to safeguard our staff and patients wherever possible.

For more information on what we're doing to protect our patients and staff, follow this link.

                 

Information for healthcare professionals:

Guidelines published by the International Society for Thrombosis and Haemostasis (ISTH) can be found here: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/jth.14853

A review (endorsed by ISTH) published on the 15/04/2020 on COVID-19 and its implications for thrombotic diseases can be found here: http://www.onlinejacc.org/content/early/2020/04/15/j.jacc.2020.04.031

                       

Resources:

The following resources contain the best, up-to-date information for the public. There you can find the best protective measures and strategies everyone can take to stay safe during this time:

• https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public

For information about the coronavirus outbreak specifically, see the links below:

• COVID-19 symptom checker – https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/coronavirus
• COVID-19 service finder – https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/symptom-checker/tool
• HealthDirect COVID-19 information - https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/australian-health-services