Incidence and risk of post-COVID-19 thromboembolic disease and the impact of aspirin prescription; nationwide observational cohort at the US Department of Veteran Affairs

Abstract: Introduction: COVID-19 triggers prothrombotic and proinflammatory changes, with thrombotic disease prevalent in up to 30% SARS-CoV-2 infected patients. Early work suggests that aspirin could prevent COVID-19 related thromboembolic disorders in some studies but not others. This study leverages data from the largest integrated healthcare system in the United States to better understand this association. Our Objective was to evaluate the incidence and risk of COVID-19 associated acute thromboembolic disorders and the potential impact of aspirin. Methods: This retrospective, observational study utilized national electronic health record data from the Veterans Health Administration. 334,374 Veterans who tested positive for COVID-19 from March 2, 2020, to June 13, 2022, were included, 81,830 of whom had preexisting aspirin prescription prior to their COVID-19 diagnosis. Patients with and without aspirin prescriptions were matched and the odds of post-COVID acute thromboembolic disorders were assessed. Results: 10.1% of Veterans had a documented thromboembolic disorder within 12 months following their COVID-19 diagnosis. Those with specific comorbidities were at greatest risk. Preexisting aspirin prescription was associated with a significant decrease risk of post-COVID-19 thromboembolic disorders, including pulmonary embolism (OR [95% CI]: 0.69 [0.65, 0.74]) and deep vein thrombosis (OR [95% CI]: 0.76 [0.69, 0.83], but an increased risk of acute arterial diseases, including ischemic stroke (OR [95% CI]: 1.54 [1.46, 1.60]) and acute ischemic heart disease (1.33 [1.26, 1.39]). Conclusions: Findings demonstrated that preexisting aspirin prescription prior to COVID-19 diagnosis was associated with significantly decreased risk of venous thromboembolism and pulmonary embolism but increased risk of acute arterial disease. The risk of arterial disease may be associated with increased COVID-19 prothrombotic effects superimposed on preexisting chronic cardiovascular disease for which aspirin was already prescribed. Prospective clinical trials may help to further assess the efficacy of aspirin use prior to COVID-19 diagnosis for the prevention of post-COVID-19 thromboembolic disorders.

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