Genetic risk factor for clotting after COVID-19 infection

Which people who catch COVID-19 have a higher risk of
developing blood clots? A Monash-Baker study investigated.

With blood clots caused by COVID-19 already associated with a higher risk of death, it is important to understand which groups are vulnerable and how best to treat them. 

New information is emerging on COVID-associated blood clots in people with inherited thrombotic conditions such as the common Factor V Leiden, which affects about in one in every 20 or 25 people in Australia.

Antibody engineered to prevent clotting in stroke and heart attack

A/Prof Christoph Hagemeyer and Dr Erik Westein explain

the research to stop pathological blood clotting. See video

Monash researchers have invented an antibody which can prevent the formation of bad clots, such as those in stroke and heart attack.

Heart attack and stroke remain the leading causes of mortality and morbidity worldwide. Current anti-thrombotic (anti-clotting) therapies can, and do, cause severe bleeding complications because they also interfere with normal blood clotting. Four out of five patients who receive antiplatelet therapy still have recurring cardiovascular events.

People with coronavirus are at risk of blood clots and strokes. Here’s what we know so far

Reproduced from The Conversation
by Karlheinz Peter, Hannah Stevens and James McFadyen

As well as causing severe respiratory problems, there is mounting evidence COVID-19 causes abnormalities in blood clotting. Patients with severe COVID-19 infection appear to be at greater risk of developing blood clots in the veins and arteries.

Blood clots can occur deep in the veins of the leg (deep vein thrombosis) and can move to the lungs, causing a pulmonary embolism, which restricts blood flow and oxygen, and can be fatal.