Platelet Activating Factor Acetylhydrolase (PAF-AH) activity : could it have a role on coagulation in covid-19 patients?

Objective: Abnormal immune inflammatory response and cytokine storm play an important role on the aspect of increasing mortality in Covid-19. We aimed to investigate whether the Platelet Activating Factor Acetylhydrolase activity (PAF-AH) and hematological parameters have prognostic and predictive value in determining the disease severity. Methods: A total of 84 Covid-19 patients, 52 of whom were hospitalized in the ward and 32 in the intensive care unit (ICU), and 38 control patients were included in this study. Results: Lymphocyte and serum albumin levels were significantly lower (p < .001) and age, neutrophils, CRP, procalcitonin, LDH, INR, D-dimer levels were significantly higher (p < .001) in Covid-19 patients compared to the control group. ICU patients had significantly lower (p < .001) lymphocyte, albumin values and significantly higher (p < .001) age, leukocyte, neutrophils, CRP, INR, aPTT, D-dimer levels compared to ward patients. PAF-AH activity was significantly increased in ICU patients compared to the control group (p < .05). A positive correlation was found between PAF-AH and D-Dimer in the ICU group. Conclusion: We found increased PAF-AH activity in patients with Covid-19. It’s important to spot the PAF-AH activity in cardiovascular events that develop due to coagulation problems, which are likely to be seen on these patients in the future.