Endothelial dysfunction in COVID-19 patients assessed with Endo-PAT2000

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Medicine
• Infectious Diseases
• Vascular Biology

Background:

• Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) utilizes the Angiotensin Converting Enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor for cell attachment.
• The precise cause of vascular impairment in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) remains unclear, whether from direct viral endothelial cell involvement or secondary inflammatory responses.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the presence of endothelial dysfunction in COVID-19 patients.
• To assess endothelial vasodilation function non-invasively in individuals without cardiovascular risk factors.

Main Methods:

• Employed the Endo-PAT 2000 device for rapid, non-invasive measurement of endothelial vasodilation function.
• Evaluated six COVID-19 patients lacking cardiovascular risk factors or pre-existing cardiac conditions.

Main Results:

• Four out of six COVID-19 patients exhibited endothelial dysfunction, indicated by Reactive Hyperemic Index (RHI) values below the normal threshold (>1.67).
• Average RHI in affected patients was 1.32 (range 1.13-1.56).
• One patient without dysfunction had an RHI value (1.72) just above the normal cutoff.

Conclusions:

• COVID-19 infection is associated with an elevated risk of developing endothelial dysfunction.
• Endothelial impairment can occur in COVID-19 patients irrespective of pre-existing cardiovascular risk factors.