Antiplatelet Therapy may Reduce COVID-19 Severity and Complications: Study

A recent study published in the Nature Scientific Reports uncovered the role of antiplatelet therapy (AP) in reducing the severity of the COVID-19 and improving patient outcomes. 

The study involved a total of 2170 hospitalized COVID-19 patients with a mean age of 60 years and delved into the interplay between hyperinflammation, disruptions in coagulation processes and the use of AP. Of all the patients in the study, 274 had received AP prior to COVID-19 infection, while another 274 were propensity score-matched controls without previous AP usage.

The results revealed that patients in the AP group experienced fewer instances of critical illness with reduced rates of ICU admissions (9% vs. 15%) and shock development (9% vs. 15%) when compared to the non-AP group. Also, the AP group expressed higher rates of coronary revascularizations (5% vs. 1%) and strokes/transient ischemic attacks (5% vs. 1%), though bleeding rates were comparable between the groups.

The patients in the AP group demonstrated lower mortality rates at both the 3-month (31% vs. 39%) and 6-month (34% vs. 41%) marks when compared to their counterparts. This effect was even more pronounced in a subgroup with a history of cardiovascular events, where AP reduced both 3-month (37% vs. 56%) and 6-month (42% vs. 57%) mortality. Further analysis revealed that continuing acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin) during hospitalization came with additional benefits by significantly reducing mortality rates when compared to patients whose aspirin therapy was suspended.

These findings underline the potential of AP in improving the hospital course and medium-term outcomes of COVID-19 patients who are at high risk of cardiovascular complications. The outcomes of this study suggest that AP should not be discontinued in such cases that highlight a promising option for the future treatment strategies.

Source:

Sokolski, M., Reszka, K., Adamik, B., Kilis-Pstrusinska, K., Lis, W., Pomorski, M., Sokolowski, J., Doroszko, A., Madziarska, K., Jankowska, E. A., & Protasiewicz, M. (2024). Antiplatelet therapy prior to COVID-19 infection impacts on patients mortality: a propensity score-matched cohort study. In Scientific Reports (Vol. 14, Issue 1). Springer Science and Business Media LLC. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-55407-9