When the dreadful Covid-19 was first reported in Wuhan, China, it was founded that it only causes a pneumonia-like respiratory illness that could cause some damage to the lungs. Though, as the disease progressed, it was seen to affect other vital organs also including the heart and kidneys as well. Blood clots, even in young people, were commonly reported due to coronavirus. Now as per the research it has found that upon conducting autopsies on infected patients who died due to coronavirus, it was found that the virus can cause lung injuries and blood clots in vital organs of the body, such as the kidneys.
A study of post-mortem of infected patients who died from Coronavirus shows severe damage to lungs, blood clotting in most important organs
10 post-mortem examinations performed on coronavirus infected patients found that all of them had lung injuries, early signs of lung scarring, and an injury to their kidneys, all shows a result of the coronavirus infection. 9 of these patients also had thrombosis, a blood clot, in at least one of the key organ like the heart, kidney, or lungs, according to the study published on Imperial College’s website.
Researchers believe that these findings could help to give treatments for coronavirus infected people in order to reduce the risk of death due to the virus infection. For instance, the use of blood thinners could help to prevent blood clots from developing. Researchers also believe that such insight into the complications due to the disease could help experts find better ways to monitor and treat the illness.
In The Lancet Microbe the study was published. It was led by researchers at the Imperial College, London, and the Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust. Although the study only examined 10 patients, it is still the largest study to be conducted as post-mortem examinations of coronavirus patients in England.
“COVID-19 is a new disease and we have only had limited opportunities to comprehensively analyse tissues from patients at autopsy, to better understand what caused a patient’s illness and death for research purposes. Our study is the first of its kind in the country to support existing theories from researchers and doctors on the wards that lung injuries, thrombosis and immune cell depletion are the most prominent features in severe cases of COVID-19. In the patients we looked at, we also saw evidence of kidney injuries and in some cases, pancreatitis and these with our other findings will help clinicians develop new strategies to manage patients,” said Dr Michael Osborn, Honorary Clinical Senior Lecturer at Imperial College London, Consultant Pathologist at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust and co-author of the study.
“Autopsy based analysis of COVID-19 for research is vital to learn more of this disease as the pandemic develops. We are extremely grateful to those who consented to this research and appreciate the advancement of medical science their generosity will bring.
As a result of our work, we have worked with colleagues at the Royal College of Pathologists to produce national guidelines for autopsies in COVID-19 patients and in anticipation of a possible second wave of cases we have put systems in place to rapidly facilitate further studies in the future and so further our understanding on the nature and cause of the disease, which we hope would lead to more effective treatments and fewer deaths,” he said.
