Thrombotic Events and Stroke in the Year After COVID-19 or Other Acute Respiratory Infection

Previous studies have documented an increased risk for thrombotic events 30 days after COVID-19 infection, but less is known about this risk beyond 30 days or compared with risk after other infectious acute respiratory illnesses (ARIs). By using PCORnet data from April 1, 2022-April 30, 2023, we compared the incidences of thrombotic events in the year after COVID-19 illness with other ARI diagnoses in hospitalized and nonhospitalized patients. Overall, the risk for any thrombotic event was higher among patients with COVID-19 compared with patients with other ARIs (incidence ratio 1.63; p<0.05). Nonhospitalized patients with COVID-19 had a 73% increased risk for a thrombotic event in the year after acute illness compared with nonhospitalized patients with ARI (p<0.05). The increased risk for thrombotic events in the year after COVID-19 emphasizes the need for stroke awareness for patients and healthcare professionals.