PB0041 - Lung Ultrasound (LUS) for Thrombosis in COVID-19 Patients

Background: Lung thrombosis in hospitalized patients with COVID-19 pneumonia is a great problem. Angiopulmography is difficult to do because of epidemiologic circumstances and patients’ oxygen dependency. Moreover, small focuses of thrombosis, which are common during COVID-19 may not visualized during CT scan. LUS is staying popular for diagnosing and dynamic observation of COVID-19 patients, but it is still unknown what parameters can be the really prediction of lung thrombosis.

Aims: The aim was to estimate the diagnostic role of LUS during verification of COVID-19-associated lung thrombosis and during its dynamic observations.

Methods: We observed 40 patients (age – 54,3 (48; 65), men – 6 (46,1%)) with severe COVID-19 pneumonia. General clinical analysis, LUS during hospitalization and in dynamic, statistical analysis applied.

Results: 23 patients had signs of lung thrombosis on LUS: subpleural triangular hypoechoic lesion (consolidations) with absent lung sliding and vascularization in Color regime (Fig.1). After strengthening of anticoagulation treatment 20 patients had positive dynamic on LUS: decreasing of consolidation sizes and revascularization of lung tissue (Fig.2).

Conclusion(s): 1) combination of LUS signs: subpleural triangular hypoechoic lesion (consolidations) with absent lung sliding and vascularization in Color regime is quick, cheap, noninvasive test for verification of COVID-19-associated lung thrombosis
2) decreasing of consolidation sizes and revascularization of lung tissue during LUS could be the objective sign of adequate anticoagulant treatment.