COVID-19 concerns aggregate around platelets

Blood. 2020 Sep 10;136(11):1221-1223. doi: 10.1182/blood.2020007805.

Abstract

In this issue of Blood, articles by Manne et al and Hottz et al highlight platelet hyperactivity in COVID-19–associated pathophysiology., Although the hallmarks of COVID-19 include a brisk inflammatory response and respiratory symptoms, the hematologic manifestations of this infection have also garnered attention, with thrombotic complications taking center stage., COVID-19–associated coagulopathy has been characterized by an elevated D-dimer, mild thrombocytopenia, and a prolongation of the activated partial thromboplastin time. Alongside these laboratory abnormalities, patients present with increased rates of thrombosis. The role of platelets in the thrombotic complications of COVID-19 is explored in these 2 articles, establishing that platelet hyperactivity contributes to the coagulopathy seen in COVID-19.

Publication types

  • Comment

MeSH terms

  • Betacoronavirus
  • Blood Platelets*
  • COVID-19
  • Coronavirus Infections*
  • Humans
  • Pandemics*
  • Platelet Aggregation
  • Pneumonia, Viral*
  • SARS-CoV-2