Coronavirus 19 (COVID-19) is a viral respiratory disease that was identified in December 2019
after the first cases in China, spreading rapidly until reaching pandemic status, causing the
collapse of numerous health systems and strong economic and social impact. By the end of
April 2020, 3.08 million cases, and more than 214 thousand deaths were already recorded. The
treatment so far has not been established and there are several clinical trials testing known
drugs that have antiviral activity in vitro, due to the urgency that the global situation
imposes. Medicines with specific actions can take years to be discovered, while a vaccine
also takes a long time. Recently, it has been shown that the worsening of Coronavirus
infection may be related to the formation of micro clots in blood vessels and anticoagulants
have been used as adjuvants in the treatment. This study is justified by conducting a pilot
study that showed an in vitro antiviral action (anti-COVID-19) of high molecular weight
heparin. Methods: A phase I / II clinical trial will be conducted. 40 participants will be
included in two arms. Participants allocated to Group 1 (control) will receive inhalation
with 0.9% saline applied 4/4 hours, for 7 days. Participants allocated to Group 2
(intervention) will receive high molecular weight inhaled heparin (250ug / mL 0.9% SF), at a
4/4 hour dose, for 7 days. The outcomes of interest will be safety (absence of moderate or
serious adverse events) and effectiveness (measured in a score of 7 points, with 1 absence of
limitations and 7, death). Expected results: The development of a new therapeutic option for
COVID-19 is expected, with the possibility of use in other serious coronavirus diseases, to
be subsequently tested in phase III studies.