Researchers analyzed the EHR records for more than 4,000 COVID-19 patients hospitalized in the VA health system from March through July, finding patients who received preventive anticoagulants within 24 hours of being admitted were less likely to die in 30 days than patients who did not receive them.
The 30-day mortality rate among those who received anticoagulants early was 14 percent, compared to 19 percent among patients who did not.
The study authors said blood thinners may improve COVID-19 patients’ outcomes because the disease sometimes causes irregular blood clotting. They also said randomized, clinical trials are needed to validate their findings.
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