key: cord-0754539-64nndu4k authors: Barco, S.; Bates, S.M.; Versteeg, H.H.; Klok, F.A. title: COVID-19 in thrombosis research: An editorial perspective date: 2021-03-24 journal: Thromb Res DOI: 10.1016/j.thromres.2021.03.011 sha: dead671ca254df9b8a8a2dd3cd4ee6592886384d doc_id: 754539 cord_uid: 64nndu4k nan The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has impacted every aspect of our lives. Scientific research has not been spared. In the face of this global health emergency, researchers raced to share their findings about this previously unknown disease. The influx of publications associated with COVID-19 has been remarkable and the sharing of scientific work has never been as rapid. Indeed, in this whirlwind of scientific endeavour, some concerns have been raised about the overall quality of published research. Initial reports highlighting the interplay between the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS CoV-2) and hemostasis meant that Thrombosis Research also saw increased numbers of submissions from the earliest days of the pandemic. Additional Associate Editors were brought on board in response to this trend and to assist editors with increased COVID-19 clinical workload. COVID-19-related papers (100 in 2020; table 1) were prioritized with respect to peer review and production to ensure that they were published as quickly as possible. Although submissions increased 51% in 2020 compared to 2019 (table 1), the journal's strategies ensured that the average editorial speed for both accepted and rejected articles in 2020 was similar to that in previous years. The Considering the above, the most urgent unanswered questions on venous thromboembolism prevention in COVID-19 patients include whether (i) early thromboprophylaxis may improve the course J o u r n a l P r e -p r o o f of the disease among outpatients [41] , (ii) the intensity of standard in-hospital thromboprophylaxis is adequate given their substantial thrombotic risk during hospitalization, particularly among ICU patients [42] [43] [44] [45] [46] [47] [48] , and (iii) post-discharge anticoagulation may provide clinical benefit [5] . Moreover, the peculiar characteristics of PE in COVID-19 patients [36] raised the dilemma whether the efficacy and safety of available anticoagulants are maintained in the setting of COVID-19 [49] [50] [51] [52] . Indeed, some work has been done to optimize the monitoring of parenteral and oral anticoagulants [47, [49] [50] [51] 53] with the ultimate aim of individualizing thromboprophylaxis and treatment protocols [46] . COVID-19-specific preanalytical [53] and logistical issues [47] , however, have been shown to represent barriers to optimal anticoagulant management in both the out-and inpatient settings. Notably, two studies reported a high incidence of major bleeding events associated with different intensities of anticoagulant treatment. [54, 55] Whereas a number of ongoing phase III trials on anticoagulants will soon provide answers and fill the aforementioned gaps of knowledge, the rationale of these studies does not necessarily rely on firm explanations of the pathophysiological processes behind COVID-19-associated thrombosis. Nevertheless, a number of studies provided initial mechanistic insights that may direct appropriate interventional strategies [56] . 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A literature review