In general population infected with COVID-19, the anticoagulation therapy was not linked with better survival rates but with increased bleeding risk. Improved outcomes in terms of reduced mortality through anticoagulation therapy were witnessed in people admitted with respiratory failure and needing invasive ventilation. 

This multicenter international prospective registry aimed to examine the effectiveness and safety of anticoagulants in hospitalized COVID patients and its effect on survival.

A total of 5838 patients with COVID-19 admitted to the hospital were considered for this study. The use of anticoagulation therapy (prophylactic and therapeutic regimens) was noted in every patient.

Prior to hospitalization, 5480 patients (94%) did not receive any anticoagulants. There were 2601 patients (44%) who received anticoagulation therapy during hospitalization and it was not linked with a better survival rate (81% versus 81%) but with higher chances of bleeding (2.7% versus 1.8%).

Anticoagulation therapy initiated during hospitalization was linked with lesser mortality rates (32% versus 42%) and nonsignificant increased bleeding risk (3.4% versus 2.7%) in individuals admitted with respiratory failure. The mortality relative risk with anticoagulation in patients admitted with respiratory failure, in those needing invasive ventilation, in noninvasive ventilation is as under, Table 1:

The use of anticoagulants in COVID-infected individuals leads to a higher probability of bleeding and poor survival.