Case Report: Asymptomatic COVID-19 patient with a subtle hypercoagulable state and fluctuating D-dimer level [version 1; peer review: 2 approved]

Background: COVID-19 can infect an asymptomatic person silently without any overt symptoms despite diffuse blood clots throughout the body. Clot formation is induced by COVID-19 associated coagulopathy that can cause a high mortality rate. D-dimer, a fairly decisive marker for the coagulopathy event...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Jefferson Caesario, Decsa M. Hertanto, Kukuh D. Hernugrahanto, Dwikora N. Utomo, Nicolaas C. Budhiparama, Djoko Santoso, Pancras C.W. Hogendoorn
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: F1000 Research Ltd 2021-11-01
Series:F1000Research
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Online Access:https://f1000research.com/articles/10-1112/v1
Description
Summary:Background: COVID-19 can infect an asymptomatic person silently without any overt symptoms despite diffuse blood clots throughout the body. Clot formation is induced by COVID-19 associated coagulopathy that can cause a high mortality rate. D-dimer, a fairly decisive marker for the coagulopathy event, is physiologically a marker of the fibrinolysis process. The increase of D-dimers in COVID-19 cases must be followed up because it relates to the initiation of a cytokine storm. Case presentation: We report an asymptomatic patient with sudden D-dimer elevation who received anticoagulant therapy. After three days of heparin administration, D-dimer results became normal and anticoagulant therapy was stopped. However, on the 12th day, the D-dimer level rebounded back and was followed by an increase of hs-C-reactive protein, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, IL-6, although SARS-CoV-2 PCR result became negative. A hyperglycaemic reaction and a sudden increase of HbA1C was observed in the patient. After three weeks D-dimer had returned to normal levels, and so did the other markers. The patient recovered fully and still no symptoms were obvious. Conclusion: COVID-19 patients without symptoms may be at risk of an asymptomatic coagulopathy process. The decreasing level of D-dimer erroneously cannot ensure that the coagulopathy process stops.
ISSN:2046-1402