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ObjectivesPatients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) have thromboembolic complications. Assessment of coagulation and other markers could be useful to understand their coagulopathy.MethodsWe performed a retrospective study of inflammatory and coagulation parameters, including prothrombin fragment 1.2 (PF1.2), thrombin-antithrombin complexes (TATs), fibrin monomers, and D-dimer, in hospitalized patients with COVID-19. We compared the markers in patients with thrombosis, admission to the intensive care unit (ICU), and poor outcome.ResultsOf the 81 patients, 9 (11%) experienced an acute thrombotic event (4 with pulmonary embolism, 3 with venous thrombosis, and 2 with stroke). PF1.2 was elevated in 32 (39%) patients, TATs in 54 (67%), fibrin monomers in 49 (60%), and D-dimer in 76 (94%). Statistically significant elevation in PF1.2 and TATs was seen in patients admitted to the ICU, while D-dimer and fibrin monomers were significantly elevated in patients with poor outcomes. The presence of multiple abnormal coagulation parameters was associated with ICU admission. Other parameters with statistically significant results included abnormal WBC counts and elevated C-reactive protein, which were associated with ICU admission and poor outcomes.ConclusionsOur data demonstrate that abnormalities of biomarkers of hemostasis activation and inflammatory markers are associated with poor outcomes in patients with COVID-19.

Introduction Extracorporeal photopheresis (ECP) is a procedure used to influence T-cell activity in patients suffering from immune-mediated cellular damage secondary to activated lymphocytes. Although well-tolerated, iron deficiency anemia (IDA) has been described. The goal herein is to describe IDA in patients who received extracorporeal photopheresis (ECP) treatment using UVAR (Therakos Inc) and CELLEX (Therakos Inc) instruments. Design and methods Patients treated with ECP from 2015 to 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. IDA was defined by a decrease in hemoglobin following treatment with concomitant decrease in mean cell volume, mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration, increased RBC distribution width, and/or iron studies compatible with IDA. Results During the four-year study period, thirty-four patients received ECP. Thirteen (38%) underwent treatment with the previous UVAR device while 21 (62%) received treatment on the newer CELLEX instrument. Nineteen (56%) of the cohort developed clinical and laboratory evidence of IDA with an average of 3.2 g/dL decrease in hemoglobin. Patients who developed IDA treated on the CELLEX instrument experienced a significantly greater drop in hemoglobin (P = .04) than those treated on the UVAR. Examining the CELLEX-treated patients, those who received the procedure at greater frequency experienced significantly greater drops in hemoglobin (P = .03). Conclusions IDA is a risk of chronic ECP therapy and is likely secondary to retained blood components in the instrument. The temporal relationship between anemia and ECP treatment has a direct correlation with the treatment schedule. Patients undergoing ECP treatment should be closely monitored for the development of IDA.

Passenger lymphocyte syndrome (PLS) is caused by the transfer of B-lymphocytes present in the donor graft into the recipient circulation following solid organ or hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. These cells may produce antibodies against the recipient's red blood cells, thereby triggering antibody dependent cytotoxicity and erythroid clearance, with potential resulting hemolysis and jaundice. Although uncommon, the true incidence is unknown because many cases are subclinical, with only serologic findings or with non significant levels of hemolysis detectable clinically or by laboratory monitoring. Thus, these cases may not be detected in the immediate perioperative period. No standardized consensus exists on screening for PLS in patients. Through a review of the literature from 2009 to 2019, we aim to approximate the incidence of this condition in different solid organ transplant settings, as well as to streamline recognition, detection, and management of PLS early in the disease course to prevent adverse outcomes and minimize invasive therapy. The resultant literature review yielded 22 case reports and 8 case series comprising 71 solid organ transplant patients. Hematopoietic stem cell transplant cases were excluded, as PLS cases related to solid organ transplant were the primary focus of this review. Our institution has traditionally handled PLS on a case-by-case basis, although we hope to improve this process through an introduction of an algorithm based on review of the literature and formalized communication with primary caregivers.