Thrombosis and Haemostasis
Author Interview
Stroke, Systemic or Venous Thromboembolism
Cangemi et al.
Thromb Haemost 2022; 122(02): 257-266
DOI: 10.1055/a-1692-9939
T&H
Why did you (and your colleagues) write this paper? What was its main purpose?
FRANCESCO VIOLI
The study has been planned during the Covid-19 pandemic and the purpose was to assess if community-acquired pneumonia, which is mainly caused by Influenza virus, has thrombotic complications similar to those observed by Covid-19.
T&H
What are the main conclusions?
FRANCESCO VIOLI
The incidence and typology of the two types of pneumonia are different. Community-acquired pneumonia is complicated by myocardial infarction and stroke, while venous thromboembolism is scarcely represented; the incidence rate of such complications is roughly 10% during the intra-hospital stay. Conversely, the incidence rate of cardiovascular events in Covid-19 patients is roughly 20% during the intra-hospital stay and cardiovascular complications occur in both arterial(prevalently myocardial infarction and stroke) and venous( prevalently deep-venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism) circulation
T&H
What are the paper's implications? - to the public? -to medical professionals?
FRANCESCO VIOLI
The need of vaccination against influenza virus and Covid-19 is the main message for the public. The message for medical professionals is to look for clinical and laboratory variables associated with the above reported complications as in many cases, overall, in community-acquired pneumonia, such complications may be asymptomatic
T&H
Are the findings clinically significant? Should the findings change practice?
FRANCESCO VIOLI
Patients with pneumonia experiencing cardiovascular events during the intrahospital stay should be carefully monitored as they are at higher risk of cardiovascular recurrence and mortality during a long-term follow-up.