Introduction:

SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2) infection has been associated with thrombotic complications, the pathophysiological mechanism of which is complex.

Aim of the research:

To analyse factors influencing the prognosis of patients with pulmonary embolism and COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019).

Material and methods:

A retrospective study was conducted on a group of 70 patients with pulmonary embolism and concomitant respiratory system infection. The patients were divided into those with a negative test result for the presence of the SARS-CoV-2 (n = 25) and those with a positive result (n = 45). Clinical and imaging characteristics of both groups were presented. Univariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to identify predictors of 30-day and 1-year mortality.

Results:

The study revealed that short-term survival did not differ between the COVID (+) and COVID-19 (–) groups (40 (88.9%) vs. 18 (72.0%), p = 0.1), while long-term survival was higher in the COVID-19 (+) group compared to the COVID-19 (–) group (38 (84.4%) vs. 10 (40.0%), p = 0.0001). Factors influencing short-term survival were lymphocyte levels and left-sided intraparenchymal changes on imaging, while long-term survival was influenced by platelet count, INR, respiratory failure, oxygen saturation, fibrous-striated changes on imaging, and subpleural location. Both short- and long-term survival were determined by higher levels of erythrocytes, haemoglobin, longer prothrombin time, and the intensity of oxygen therapy. The only independent predictor of long-term mortality was concomitant neoplastic disease (OR = 29.03 (1.32–640.2); p = 0.03).

Conclusions:

COVID-19 does not independently affect long-term survival in patients with pulmonary embolism.