Impaired Microvascular Function in Patients With Critical COVID-19

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Research
• Infectious Diseases
• Microcirculation Studies

Background:

• Severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is linked to microvascular endothelial cell infection.
• Understanding microvascular function is crucial for managing critical COVID-19.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate microvascular function in patients with critical and severe COVID-19.
• To assess changes during the acute phase and at least 3 months post-infection.

Main Methods:

• Prospective observational study at a single center.
• Laser speckle contrast imaging used to assess skin perfusion and vasodilation (endothelial-dependent and -independent) via iontophoresis.
• Comparison between critical COVID-19, severe COVID-19, and non-COVID-19 control groups.

Main Results:

• Critical COVID-19 patients exhibited higher basal skin perfusion acutely and post-infection compared to controls.
• Reduced endothelial-dependent and -independent vasodilation observed in critical COVID-19 during the acute phase.
• Severe COVID-19 patients showed reduced endothelial-independent vasodilation, but other parameters were not significantly different from controls.

Conclusions:

• COVID-19 infection induces systemic microvascular impairment in critical cases.
• These microvascular changes demonstrate persisting long-term effects on function.
• Findings highlight the significant impact of COVID-19 on the microvasculature.