D-dimer changes and associations in Long COVID: a prospective observational study

Introduction So-called long coronavirus disease 2019 (Long-COVID) affects the majority of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) survivors, has several manifestations, including cardiovascular diseases, and is often characterized by elevated D-dimer levels.Aim This study aimed to assess long-term D-dimer levels and their associations with other clinical and laboratory parameters in patients with elevated postinfection D-dimer levels. Material and methodsPatients with a prior history of COVID-19 and elevated D-dimer levels at the time of a postinfection control visit were included in the study and invited to a second control visit after a follow-up period.The first postinfection visit was considered baseline.Patients who did not attend the second control visit were excluded from the study.Study subjects were analyzed in two groups according to D-dimer levels at follow-up. ResultsThe median (IQR) follow-up time was 16.73 (15.83-18.02)months.Elevated Ddimer levels at follow-up were associated at follow-up with higher fatigue prevalence, higher fibrinogen, N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), neutrophil count, monocyte count and neutrophil percentage, as well as lower lymphocyte percentage and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR).Various correlations with D-dimer levels at baseline and at follow-up were found. ConclusionsIn most patients with elevated postinfection D-dimer levels, the values remain elevated long-term and show multiple associations with clinical and laboratory parameters.