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. 2020 Sep 12;69(12):1181–1189. doi: 10.1007/s00011-020-01401-6

The coagulopathy, endotheliopathy, and vasculitis of COVID-19

Toshiaki Iba 1,✉, Jean Marie Connors 2, Jerrold H Levy 3
PMCID: PMC7486586  PMID: 32918567

Abstract

Background

COVID-19-associated coagulopathy (CAC) characterized by the elevated D-dimer without remarkable changes of other global coagulation markers is associated with various thrombotic complications and disease severity. The purpose of this review is to elucidate the pathophysiology of this unique coagulopathy.

Methods

The authors performed online search of published medical literature through PubMed using the MeSH (Medical Subject Headings) term "COVID-19," "SARS-CoV-2," "coronavirus," "coagulopathy," and "thrombus." Then, selected 51 articles that closely relevant to coagulopathy in COVID-19.

Results

The primary targets of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) are the pneumocytes, immune cells, and vascular endothelial cells. The alveolar damage and the pulmonary microvascular thrombosis are the major causes of acute lung injury in COVID-19. The endotheliopathy that occurs is due to direct SARS-CoV-2 infection and activation of other pathways that include the immune system and thromboinflammatory responses leading to what is termed CAC. As a result, both microvascular and macrovascular thrombotic events occur in arterial, capillary, venule, and large vein vascular beds to produce multiorgan dysfunction and thrombotic complications. In addition to the endothelial damage, SARS-CoV-2 also can cause vasculitis and presents as a systemic inflammatory vascular disease. Clinical management of COVID-19 includes anticoagulation but novel therapies for endotheliopathy, hypercoagulability, and vasculitis are needed.

Conclusion

The endotheliopathy due to direct endothelial infection with SARS-COV-2 and the indirect damage caused by inflammation play the predominant role in the development of CAC. The intensive control of thromboinflammation is necessary to improve the outcome of this highly detrimental contagious disease.

Keywords: COVID-19, Thromboembolism, Coagulopathy, Endotheliopathy, Vasculitis

Introduction

Ongoing reports have described the hypercoagulability and thrombotic tendency in COVID-19 [1]. The high incidence of deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism has focused on the critical role of routine antithrombotic prophylaxis for COVID-19 management, especially in critically ill patients and/or elevated d-dimer levels [2–4]. Current reports of venous and arterial thrombotic events in the patients treated in ICU is up to 30% even with pharmacological thromboprophylaxis, and thrombotic events are associated with 5.4 times higher risk of mortality [5]. Recent postmortem evaluation of COVID-19 patients has demonstrated severe endothelial injury with cellular death/apoptosis, and the presence of intracellular virus in the autopsy lung with thrombosis and small to middle-size pulmonary vessels. The clotting and vascular damage were also confirmed in the alveolar capillary and these changes are more remarkable in COVID-19 compared to influenza induced lung injury [6]. In this summary, we will review the pathophysiology of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)-induced endotheliopathy, COVID-19-associated coagulopathy (CAC), and vasculitis.

Coagulopathy in COVID-19

The mechanism of coagulopathy in COVID-19

Thromboembolic complications are the hallmark of COVID-19 that can cause death even in asymptomatic COVID-19 [7]. The new coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 elicits an acute inflammatory effect with hypercoagulability, platelet activation, and endothelial dysfunction [8]. Although, this presentation has similarities with sepsis-induced coagulopathy (SIC) due to bacterial infections and disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), there are several important differences [8]. In CAC, patients often initially present with increased fibrinogen levels, increased D-dimers, but minor changes in prothrombin time and platelet count compared to acute bacterial sepsis that can produce thrombocytopenia, prolonged prothrombin times, and decreased antithrombin levels [4, 9]. It is also known that inflammatory cytokine levels are elevated in COVID-19 and excess production of inflammatory cytokines can induce hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH)/macrophage activation syndrome (MAS) that can result in a thrombotic coagulation disorder [10]. Although the pathophysiology of HLH/MAS seems similar to COVID-19, the reported cytokine level is much lower in COVID-19 [11]. Conversely, the endothelial derangement, detailed in the next section, is predominant in COVID-19. Other than HLH/MAS, various thrombotic diseases such as thrombotic microangiopathy, and antiphospholipid syndrome can occur, and the characteristics of these diseases look similar to CAC [12]. Even though the pathogeneses of these thrombotic diseases partially overlap with CAC, it is important to delineate the unique statue of CAC to plan a therapeutic strategy.

The evaluation of COVID-19-associated coagulopathy

d-Dimer monitoring is important in COVID-19 coagulopathy. Although d-dimer is initially elevated, other conventional coagulation laboratory tests including prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), and platelet count are often normal, and are not useful indicators of the thrombotic risk. The increase of factor VIII and von Willebrand factor (VWF) [13], potentially the presence of antiphospholipid antibodies [14], and increased activity of complement system are also reported, however, monitoring these biomarkers is not practical. The pathogenesis of coagulopathy in COVID-19 is complex but the typical CAC can be diagnosed by increased D-dimer, elevated fibrinogen and VWF levels, but relatively normal PT, aPTT, and platelet count. A pathway for diagnosing CAC versus other coagulopathies is illustrated in Fig. 1.

Fig. 1.

Fig. 1

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Flow chart for identifying COVID-19-associated coagulopathy. In the typical COVID-19-associated coagulopathy, thrombocytopenia and prothrombin time (PT) prolongation are usually not remarkable in its initial phase, instead, it often shows the typical computed tomography (CT) findings of the lung and elevated levels of von Willebrand factor (VWF) and factor VIII. When both marked thrombocytopenia and prothrombin time prolongation is observed, it is the case of sepsis-induced coagulopathy (SIC)/disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) type and secondary bacterial infection is suspected. Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH)/macrophage activated syndrome (MAS) type coagulopathy is suspected when high levels of proinflammatory cytokines are recognized. This type of coagulopathy often shows fever, splenomegaly, decreased counts in two cell lines, hypertriglyceridemia and/or hypofibrinogenemia, and hemophagocytosis. Very severe thrombocytopenia indicates the presence of thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) and ADAMTS-13 level should be examined. Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) type coagulopathy is suspected when high-titer IgG/IgM of anti-phospholipids (APL) antibodies such as lupus anticoagulant, anticardiolipin, and anti-β2-glycoprotein (GP) 1 antibodies are recognized

Thrombin generation testing (TGT) measures ex vivo thrombin formation in plasma upon activation with tissue factor. TGT allows calculation of peak and total thrombin generation, as well as time to initial and peak thrombin generation. This assay can identify both reduced and increased thrombin generation. Nougier et al. [15] revealed increased thrombin generation in COVID-19 patients despite undergone anticoagulation. The major drawbacks of TGT are the lack of standardization and the requirement of technical training.

Other potential assays to assess global coagulation status include viscoelastic testing, especially in ICU patients, as a point of care test. An increasing number of studies report hypercoagulability as indicated by decreased R or clot times, and increased maximal amplitude/maximal clot firmness by viscoelastic monitoring [16–18]. However, these changes are consistent with high fibrinogen levels that affect both maximal amplitude on thromboelastography (TEG), and maximum clot firmness on rotational thromboelastometry (ROTEM). Ranucci et al. [17] reported the median fibrinogen level was nearly 800 mg/dL in the COVID-19 patients treated in ICU, and such a high fibrinogen level affects TEG and ROTEM parameters considerably by itself [19].

Endotheliopathy in COVID-19

The endothelial damage and thrombosis

An important feature of CAC is the microcirculatory endothelial damage in pulmonary circulation and other vascular beds. Since SARS-CoV-2 directly infects the vascular endothelial cell causing cellular damage and apoptosis, the antithrombotic activity of the luminal surface is remarkably decreased [20]. In COVID-19, both alveolar damage and microcirculatory disturbance associated with thrombus formation contribute to respiratory dysfunction. At autopsy, findings reported include clot formation in pulmonary arterioles with diffuse alveolar damage and hyaline membranes [21]. Normal endothelial function refers to the ability of regulating vascular tonus, permeability, cell adhesion, and anticoagulation. Healthy endothelial cells synthesize nitric oxide (NO) by conversion of l-arginine to l-citrulline by nitric oxide synthase. NO released by endothelium prevents leukocyte and platelet adhesion, inflammatory cell migration into the vessel wall, smooth muscle cell proliferation, and suppresses apoptosis and inflammation. SARS-Cov-2 enters endothelial cells through endocytosis and is mediated by an interplay of Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) and the transmembrane protease serine 2 (TMPRSS-2) which sheds a part of spike protein and helps SARS-Cov-2 to enter into endothelial cell. The infected endothelial cells lose their ability to maintain aforementioned physiological functions. Subsequently, the damage of the endothelium leads to the procoagulant change of the vascular lumen, formation of immunothrombosis, and organ malcirculation.

Both systemic pulmonary microthrombosis and thromboembolism are commonly seen in COVID-19. This typical figure is thought to be the result of hypercoagulability due to the dysregulated endothelial function of the pulmonary vessels and systemic inflammation. In addition to the deep vein thrombus that results in an embolic event, in situ formation in the pulmonary arteries can be the main reason of pulmonary dysfunction. Lax et al. [22] performed autopsies in 11 patients and reported that despite the absence of clinical presentations of thromboembolism, thrombus formation in small and mid-sized pulmonary arteries was found in all of the examined cases. In these cases, thrombus is suspected to form at the peripheral arteriole and elongate proximally. According to another series of autopsy findings, the incidence of thrombus formation in the pulmonary microvasculature is approximately nine times higher than that seen in influenza [6].

The endothelial damage-derived hypercoagulability

ACE2, the host cellular receptor of SARS-CoV-2, has been identified on the vascular endothelial surface. SARS-CoV-2 uses ACE2 to invade into the cell through the fusion of its membrane to the host cell membrane. As a result, the host cell loses ACE2 activity which subsequently leads to reduced angiotensin II inactivation and decreased conversion to antiotensin1-7. Increased angiotensin II stimulates vascular constriction and decreased antiotensin1-7 suppresses nitric oxide production which triggers increased thrombogenicity due to leucocyte and platelet adhesion and vasoconstriction [23].

The vascular endothelium is coated by a gel-like component known as the glycocalyx, that regulates vascular blood flow by providing an antithrombotic surface via antithrombin binding to the heparan sulfate constituents, a major component of the glycocalyx. Although the circulating antithrombin level has been reported to be in a normal range on presentation in COVID-19 cases [13], if the glycocalyx is disrupted, the local antithrombogenicity of the endothelial surface may be altered. However, little information on the glycocalyx status in COVID-19 is available.

One of the unique features of CAC is the increase in VWF and factor VIII [13, 24] and it is suggested to be the result of vascular response to SARS-CoV-2 infection. VWF and factor VIII are stored in the Weibel-Palade body of endothelial cells and released in response to infectious stimuli [25] (Fig. 2). The increase in VWF suggests a possible similarity to thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura, however, ADAMTS13 (a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with a thrombospondin type 1 motif, member 13) levels in COVID-19 although reported to be decreased, may not be severely depleted as in thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura [26]. The increased VWF levels to 3–4 times normal values seen in patients with COVID-19 may overwhelm the ADAMTS13 activity to degrade the ultra large VWF multimers. The importance of circulating VWF and multimer size in CAC is not established, however, one of the suggested methods to reduce the risk of thrombotic events due to excess ultra large VWF itself is plasma exchange [27, 28].

Fig. 2.

Fig. 2

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Mechanisms of clot formation in COVID-19. SARS-CoV-2 infects monocyte/macrophage and vascular endothelial cell. The activated macrophage and endothelial damage are the two-wheels of the vicious cycle of the thrombus formation. The infected monocyte/macrophage expresses tissue factor on the surface and initiates coagulation cascades. The infected endothelial cell release factor VIII and von Willebrand factor (VWF) from Weibel–Palade body and accelerates coagulation. Released VWF stimulates platelet aggregation and unusually-large VWF (ULVWF) activates platelet adhesion on the endothelial cell. These multi-factorial prothrombotic changes result in arterial, venous, and microvascular thrombosis

Similar to factor VIII and VWF, angiopoietin 2, also stored in Weibel-Palade bodies, is known to be released and its circulating level increases in COVID-19 [29]. Angiopoietin 2 serves as an antagonist of angiopoietin 1 and inhibits anti-inflammatory, anticoagulatory, and antiapoptotic signaling induced by angiopoietin 1 by binding to Tie2 competitively [30] (Fig. 3). Tie2 activation by angiopoietin 1 also normalizes prothrombotic responses by inhibiting endothelial tissue factor and phosphatidylserine exposure in sepsis, and therefore, Tie2 signaling is considered to play a central role in the regulation of thrombus formation in SIC/DIC [31]. Angiotensin 2 is also known to increase endothelial permeability and is considered an important factor in acute respiratory distress syndrome [32]. The role of angiopoietin 2 in CAC has not been studied well and it should be the focus in future studies.

Fig. 3.

Fig. 3

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Functional change of the endothelial cell via angiopoietin pathways. Angiopoietin (Ang)-1 binds to Tie2 receptor and promotes variable actions including an anti-inflammatory through inhibiting the nuclear factor kappa B (NFκB) signaling, apoptosis, and maintain vascular permeability by through the regulating cytoskeletal architecture and VE-cadherin. Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)-CoV-2 infection stimulates endothelial cells to release stored Ang2 from Weibel Palade bodies into the circulation. Ang2 competitively antagonizes Ang1/Tie2 signaling, thus turns the anticoagulant, and anti-inflammatory features of endothelial cells to the opposite ways. NO nitric oxide, PG I2 prostaglandin I2, ACE2 angiotensin converting enzyme 2, TMPRSS-2 transmembrane protease serine 2

The monitoring of endothelial damage

One of the difficulties in clinical studies of endothelial research is the limited availability of ideal biomarkers. The glycocalyx provides an interface between blood flow and endothelial cells. Since the glycocalyx is fragile, its components are used as biomarkers of endothelial damage in various diseases including infectious diseases [30]. One such biomarker is a hyaluronic acid, a major glycocalyx component. Circulating levels of hyaluronic acid, are elevated in critically ill COVID-19 patients compared with less severe cases [33]. Other than that, the proteins that are released from the Weibel-Palade body i.e., VWF, FVIII, and P-selectin are the potential biomarkers. In addition, sensitive coagulation markers such as thrombin-antithrombin complex (TAT) and prothrombin fragment 1 + 2 can be a marker for the microthrombosis. Goshua et al. [34] reported VWF antigen/antibody, FVIII activity, and TAT levels are significantly higher in the more severe cases.

As previously mentioned, angiopoietin 2 is stored in the endothelial cells and secreted along with the endothelial damage. Reportedly, angiopoietin 2 levels are associated with coagulation disorder, organ damage and death in bacterial sepsis [35]. Smadja et al. [29] measured angiopoietin 2, D-dimer, CRP, and creatinine in consecutive 40 COVID-19 patients treated in ICU, and found angiopoietin 2, cut-off of 5000 pg/mL, as the best predictor for poor outcome (sensitivity: 80.1%, specificity: 70%). It is crucial to find a good biomarker of vascular damage in COVID-19 study.

Therapeutic strategies for endothelial damage

Despite prophylactic anticoagulation in CAC, patients can still develop thrombotic sequela. A recent study reported that despite systematic use of thromboprophylaxis, 31% of the COVID-19 patients treated in ICU developed thrombotic complications [36]. In another study, the cumulative incidence of arterial and venous thromboembolism was 49% [3]. These reports suggest that despite anticoagulation, additional therapy for endothelial injury is necessary to prevent thrombosis. Potential therapies include synthetic serine protease inhibitors such as nafamostat mesylate and camostat mesylate which theoretically prevent SARS-CoV-2 infection. Coronavirus gains entry to the cell using the host TMPRSS2 which cleaves the spike protein resulting in its ability to fuse to the host cellular membrane. These agents inhibit TMPRSS2 thereby abrogating the activating proteolytic processing of virus [37]. Since nafamostat mesylate also has anticoagulatory effects, it has been used for DIC and anticoagulation for extracorporeal circuits in Japan.

Other therapeutic considerations are the physiologic anticoagulants such as protein C and antithrombin. The dual action of protein C/activated protein C to inactivate factor VIIIa and upregulate ACE2 are the advantage of this system which suppress both coagulation and inflammation. Activated protein C can also reduce pulmonary injury by suppressing the macrophage inflammatory protein family chemokine response [38]. Antithrombin is another multifaceted serine protease inhibitor of multiple coagulation factors, but also protects the glycocalyx by binding to heparan sulfate [39]. Bikdeli et al. [40] noted in their recent review of pharmacological therapy targeting thromboinflammation in COVID-19, that antithrombin suppresses excess inflammation by inhibiting nuclear factor-κB, it may be suitable for the treatment of CAC. However, the effects of these agents in COVID-19 haven’t been examined in clinical trials and future study may be warranted.

Arterial thrombosis in COVID-19

Arterial thrombosis is an uncommon event in other infection-associated coagulopathies. In contrast, stroke, ischemic coronary disease, and thrombotic limb ischemia can occur in COVID-19. Lodigiani et al. [41] reported the rate of ischemic stroke and acute coronary syndrome was 2.5% and 1.1%, respectively, in Italy. Kashi et al. [42] reported two cases of floating thrombi in thoracic aorta and such cases are extremely odd in previously described infectious diseases. Antiphospholipid syndrome is known as a disease that result in arterial thrombosis and can occur secondary to infection. Some reports have shown increased lupus anticoagulant, anticardiolipin, and anti-β2-glycoprotein I antibodies, however, the presence of high titer IgG antibody, an important responsible factor, has not proven yet [13, 24, 43], and the association between antiphospholipid syndrome and CAC is still unclear. The presence of unusually large VWF multimers and subsequent activation of platelets and microthrombi can explain the occurrence of arterial macrothrombosis [44], and Williams et al. [45] reported elevated VWF levels were associated with the increased risk for recurrent stroke. However, a definitive cause and effect relation has not been proven yet. The occurrence of arterial thrombosis is difficult to predict and there are no good prophylactic strategies. Oxley et al. [7] reported five cases of large-vessel stroke in patients younger than 50 years of age. The mechanism of arterial thrombosis in COVID-19 remains a mystery and prediction of the events was not possible in any of the cases; demographic factors, laboratory data, and severity of COVID-19 did not appear to be related to arterial events.

Clot formation in extracorporeal circuits

The high incidence of clot formation during extracorporeal circulation has been recognized. Helms et al. [13] studied 150 COVID-19 patients and reported 28 out of 29 patients (96.6%) receiving continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) experienced clotting of the circuit. The median lifespan of an CRRT circuit was 1.5 days which is only half of the recommendation duration. They also reported 12 patients (8%) were treated by extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), and among them, thrombotic occlusions of centrifugal pump occurred in 2 patients. Methods to minimize extracorporeal circuit clotting include prefilter infusion of heparin and the use of citrate-based replacement fluid for dialysis are not always successful [46]. The reason for the high incidence of CRRT filter and ECMO oxygenator coagulation is not known, but factors other than endotheliopathy such as hypercoagulability, hypofibrinolysis, and platelet activation must attribute. The elevated VWF activity, increased factor VIII level, and high fibrinogen level may lead to microthrombi formation possibly occluding the filter. Suppressed fibrinolysis may also play a role [47], with excess angiotensin II enhancing the expression of PAI-1 in the endothelium in COVID-19 [48].

Vasculitis in COVID-19

A report from northern Italy observed significantly increased number of patients with Kawasaki disease, an acute self-limiting vasculitis predominantly involving the coronary arteries, with hemodynamically unstable Kawasaki disease shock syndrome (KDSS) during the COVID-19 pandemic [49]. It is also reported that children with COVID-19 are more likely to show MAS that resembles secondary HLH. Varga et al. [50] demonstrated the direct viral infection of the endothelial cell and diffuse endothelial inflammation which are followed by the induction of endothelitis, apoptosis, and pyroptosis in autopsy cases of COVID-19. Of note is the mononuclear cell infiltrations into the vascular intima along the lumen of many vessels also reported in this post-mortem analysis. This finding suggests that the virus can invade into human vasculature and cause vasculitis. Roncati et al. [51] estimated the escalation from type 2 T-helper immune response to type 3 hypersensitivity is involved in the pathophysiology of COVID-19-induced vasculitis. They reported the deposition of immune complexes inside the vascular walls causing more severe inflammatory reaction, and interleukin-6 is the key myokine in this scenario.

Conclusion

The mechanism of coagulopathy in COVID-19 continues to be investigated. However, the predominant role of endotheliopathy due to direct endothelial infection with SARS-COV-2 and the indirect damage caused by inflammation are part of the complex thromboinflammatory process. The elevated circulating levels of clotting factors including fibrinogen, factor VIII, VWF released from the stimulated endothelial cells, and the loss of the thromboprotective function with glycocalyx damage and decreased nitric oxide production also contribute to the coagulopathy and thromboinflammation. SARS-CoV-2 damages not only the luminal surface of the vasculature but also induce vasculitis, contributing to the significant pathology associated with COVID-19.

Funding

This work was supported in part by a Grant-in-Aid for Special Research in Subsidies for ordinary expenses of private schools from The Promotion and Mutual Aid Corporation for Private Schools of Japan.

Compliance with ethical standards

Conflict of interest

Iba T. has received a research grant from Japan Blood Products Organization and JIMRO. Connors JM. receives personal fees from Bristol-Meyer Squibb, Abbott, Portola, and research funding to the institution from CSL Behring. Levy JH serves on the Steering or Advisory Committees for Instrumentation Laboratories, Merck, Octapharma, and Leading Biosciences.

Footnotes

Publisher's Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Contributor Information

Toshiaki Iba, Email: toshiiba@juntendo.ac.jp.

Jean Marie Connors, Email: jconnors@bwh.harvard.edu.

Jerrold H. Levy, Email: jerrold.levy@duke.edu

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