Venous thromboembolism among Medicare acute ischaemic stroke patients with and without COVID-19

background COVID-19 is associated with an increased risk of venous thromboembolism(VTE).This study examined the prevalence of VTE among acute ischaemic stroke(AIS)patients with and without a history of COVID-19.Methods We identified AIS hospitalisations of Medicare fee-for-service(FFS)beneficiaries aged≥65 years from 1 April 2020 to 31 March 2022.We compared the prevalence and adjusted prevalence ratio of VTE among AIS patients with and without a history of COVID-19.results Among 283034 Medicare FFS beneficiaries with AIS hospitalisations,the prevalence of VTE was 4.51%,2.96%and 2.61%among those with a history of hospitalised COVID-19,non-hospitalised COVID-19 and without COVID-19,respectively.As compared with patients without a history of COVID-19,the prevalence of VTE among patients with a history of hospitalised or non-hospitalised COVID-19 were 1.62(95%CI 1.54 to 1.70)and 1.13(95%CI 1.03 to 1.23)times greater,respectively.Conclusions There appeared to be a notably higher prevalence of VTE among Medicare beneficiaries with AIS accompanied by a current or prior COVID-19.Early recognition of coagulation abnormalities and appropriate interventions may help improve patients’clinical outcomes.