Associations between lung and endothelial function in long COVID: Two years after acute infection
Lêda Leonôr Mendonça Carvalho, Cássia da Luz Goulart, Gabriele Da Dalto Pierazzo, Ester Laura Cordeiro-Costa, Audrey Borghi-Silva, Adriana Sanches Garcia-Araújo
Highlights
• This is the first study to evaluate the influence of lung function on the vascular response of patients who have presented characteristics of long COVID.
• We still have significant vascular impairments in the individuals who were infected.
• KCO ( %) indicates that it alone influences 29 % of the response to the basal diameter of the volunteers evaluated.
Background
endothelial cells may be a primary source for the initiation and spread of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) caused by SARS-CoV-2, resulting in severe endothelial injury and widespread thrombosis.
Objective
The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of lung function on the vascular response of patients with long COVID.
Methods
This is an observational and cross-sectional study. Only one visit was performed, during which the evaluation form was completed and the post-COVID-19 Functional Status Scale (PCFS) was applied. In addition, participants underwent the assessment of flow-mediated vasodilation in the brachial artery and the assessment of pulmonary function.
Results
A total of 32 participants were included, of which 19 (59 %) were women. The mean age was 55.8 ± 8.6 years, with a mean weight of 88.96 ± 21.66 kg. The participants had an average time of 32.25 months since the acute phase. The patients had an average of FEV₁/FVC 81.15±14.7 ( %) and KCO 93.72±7.95 ( %). FMD had an average of -0.21±11.24 ( %), indicating still impaired endothelial function. We found correlation between basal diameter (-0.21 [-4.26 to 3.84]) vs lung function variables, especially with the variable KCO ( %) (p < 0.001; r = 0.560). When we perform simple linear regression KCO ( %) indicates that this variable alone influences 29 % of the response to the basal diameter of the participants.
Conclusion
Two years after recovery from COVID-19 infection, the patients present changes in endothelial function, which have important implications for individuals when it comes to cardiovascular health.
Web | Heart & Lung | Paywall
Lêda Leonôr Mendonça Carvalho, Cássia da Luz Goulart, Gabriele Da Dalto Pierazzo, Ester Laura Cordeiro-Costa, Audrey Borghi-Silva, Adriana Sanches Garcia-Araújo
Highlights
• This is the first study to evaluate the influence of lung function on the vascular response of patients who have presented characteristics of long COVID.
• We still have significant vascular impairments in the individuals who were infected.
• KCO ( %) indicates that it alone influences 29 % of the response to the basal diameter of the volunteers evaluated.
Background
endothelial cells may be a primary source for the initiation and spread of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) caused by SARS-CoV-2, resulting in severe endothelial injury and widespread thrombosis.
Objective
The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of lung function on the vascular response of patients with long COVID.
Methods
This is an observational and cross-sectional study. Only one visit was performed, during which the evaluation form was completed and the post-COVID-19 Functional Status Scale (PCFS) was applied. In addition, participants underwent the assessment of flow-mediated vasodilation in the brachial artery and the assessment of pulmonary function.
Results
A total of 32 participants were included, of which 19 (59 %) were women. The mean age was 55.8 ± 8.6 years, with a mean weight of 88.96 ± 21.66 kg. The participants had an average time of 32.25 months since the acute phase. The patients had an average of FEV₁/FVC 81.15±14.7 ( %) and KCO 93.72±7.95 ( %). FMD had an average of -0.21±11.24 ( %), indicating still impaired endothelial function. We found correlation between basal diameter (-0.21 [-4.26 to 3.84]) vs lung function variables, especially with the variable KCO ( %) (p < 0.001; r = 0.560). When we perform simple linear regression KCO ( %) indicates that this variable alone influences 29 % of the response to the basal diameter of the participants.
Conclusion
Two years after recovery from COVID-19 infection, the patients present changes in endothelial function, which have important implications for individuals when it comes to cardiovascular health.
Web | Heart & Lung | Paywall