LAKELAND, Fla. — Lakeland Regional Health is doing ground-breaking research that is answering crucial questions to help prevent complications from COVID-19.
According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), many patients who died from COVID-19 formed blood clots throughout their bodies.
“As a person’s recovering from COVID there is a lot of inflammation. We know that inflammation can also cause blood clots within the various blood vessels and those could lead to heart attack, stroke,” said Dr. Daniel Haight, Director of Infection Prevention at Lakeland Regional Health.
Doctors at Lakeland Regional Health have joined a national study to find the best way to prevent blood clots from forming in people who’ve had COVID-19.
“We want to know what’s the best advice to nationwide to give patients that are recovering from COVID, to avoid complications like blood clots. Should we just warn patients on what to look out for and how to get them treated quickly, or should we use common medications like a blood thinner or aspirin?” Haight explained.
Participants in the trial are given blood thinners to test their safety and effectiveness.
“That is used for 45 days and another 30 days to follow up after the medications are finished. Once a week we check on the patients through text messaging, emails or phone calls,” he said.
Researchers at Lakeland Regional are leading the state in this trial and are looking for more participants.
Criteria to participate include:
- Age 40 years and older
- Diagnosed positive with COVID-19 within the last 10-14 days
- Exhibited symptoms
- Did not require hospitalization
- Not already a taking blood thinner
Those who meet the above criteria and are interested in participating in the study should contact the ACTIV-4 COVID Research Team at (863) 284-1515.
