CTV News disclosed that the use of blood thinners by COVID-19 patients, either before being infected with the disease or afterward, can reduce deaths by almost half, according to new research.
Blood Thinners are Standard of Treatment
The study, published in the open-access, peer-reviewed journal EClinicalMedicine, looked at ways to reduce clotting and hospitalizations related to COVID-19 about prescribed blood thinners.
“We know that COVID-19 causes blood clots that can kill patients,” Dr. Sameh Hozayen, lead author of the study and an assistant professor of medicine at the University of Minnesota Medical School, said in a news release.
Blood thinners are the standard of treatment in these diseases, which is why we looked at data to see if it impacted hospitalizations related to COVID-19.
“We already know that overwhelmed hospitals have a higher risk for death among their patients, so reducing hospitalization may have a positive impact during a COVID-19 surge.”
Reduced Risk of Hospitalization
The study also found that patients on blood thinners before contracting the virus were admitted less often to hospitals despite being older on average and suffering from more chronic medical conditions than their peers.
Outpatients on blood thinners at the time of diagnosis had a 43 percent reduced risk of hospitalization.
Hospitalized patients also benefitted from blood thinners regardless of the type or dose of medication used.
Dr. Hozayen Claims Benefits
Most medical centers around the world currently have protocols for starting COVID-19 patients on blood thinners upon hospital admission, according to Dr. Hozayen.
It’s easy to keep track of prescription drug use while in hospital, but among those who have previously been prescribed blood thinners and may want to benefit from this study; one of the challenges is getting them to adhere to their drug regimen.
“Unfortunately, about half of patients who are being prescribed blood thinners for blood clots in their legs, lungs, abnormal heart rhythms, or other reasons do not take them. By increasing adherence for people already prescribed blood thinners, we can potentially reduce the bad effects of COVID-19,”
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Source: CTV News
