The relationship between serum D-dimer level and the incidence of pneumomediastinum and pneumothorax in patients with COVID-19

Background. This study investigated the relationship between the level of D-dimer and the incidence of pneumomediastinum and pneumothorax in patients with COVID-19. Methods. This cross-sectional-analytical study was conducted on patients with COVID-19 admitted to Imam Khomeini and Taleghani hospitals in Urmia. Patients were classified into two groups: patients with pneumomediastinum and pneumothorax and patients without these complications. Results. In the current study, 66 patients (0.74%) out of 8958 patients with COVID-19 who were hospitalized with positive PCR had complications related to air leaks. There was a significant difference between the two groups in terms of the need for intubation, the need for ICU, and mortality, which was higher in the patients with these complications (P<0.05). The mean D-dimer level in patients with complications was significantly higher than in patients who did not have pneumothorax or pneumomediastinum complications (P<0.05). There was also a correlation between the D-dimer level and the incidence of complications (r=0.385). Conclusion. Based on the results of the present study, it can be concluded that the mean D-dimer level in patients with COVID-19 who suffer from complications related to air leak (pneumomediastinum, pneumothorax, and subcutaneous emphysema) is higher than in patients who do not suffer from these complications. In addition, the possibility of these complications increases with the increase of the D-dimer level. Practical Implications. With the increase in the level of D-dimer in patients with COVID-19, the risk of complications related to air leak increases.