Autopsy findings & DVT
In a case series of the first 12 COVID-19 deaths in Hamburg, Germany, 58% had deep venous thrombosis discovered on autopsy, according to research in the Annals of Internal Medicine. In four cases, cause of death was massive pulmonary embolism with the thrombi originating in the deep veins of the lower limbs. Three additional cases had fresh deep venous thrombosis in both legs and no pulmonary embolism. The authors conclude: “The high incidence of thromboembolic events suggests an important role of COVID-19-induced coagulopathy.” Of note, many of these patients did not appear to have received chemoprophylaxis for thrombosis.