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Updated: Oct 1, 2025

Monitoring Changes in Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells upon Viral Infection Using Impedance-Based Real-Time Cell Analysis
Published on: May 5, 2023
Endothelial dysfunction in acute and long standing COVID-19: A prospective cohort study
Evangelos Oikonomou1, Nektarios Souvaliotis2, Stamatios Lampsas2
13rd Department of Cardiology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Medical School, Sotiria Chest Disease Hospital, Athens, Greece; 1st Department of Cardiology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Medical School, Hippokration General Hospital, Athens, Greece.
COVID-19 patients experience significant endothelial dysfunction, impacting cardiovascular health. While function improves over six months, it remains impaired, suggesting potential long-term risks.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Infectious Diseases
- Pathophysiology
Background:
- Coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) is linked to endotheliitis and cardiovascular issues.
- The long-term impact of COVID-19 on atherosclerosis and endothelial function requires elucidation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the immediate, intermediate, and long-term effects of COVID-19 on endothelial function.
- To investigate the association between COVID-19 severity and endothelial dysfunction.
Main Methods:
- Prospective cohort study of hospitalized COVID-19 patients followed for 6 months.
- Endothelial function assessed via brachial artery flow-mediated dilation (FMD).
- Comparison with propensity score-matched healthy controls.
Main Results:
- COVID-19 patients exhibited significantly impaired FMD compared to controls (1.65% vs. 6.51%).
- ICU-treated patients showed more severe FMD impairment (0.48%) than ward-treated patients (2.33%).
- FMD improved over 6 months but remained impaired compared to controls.
Conclusions:
- COVID-19 causes significant endothelial dysfunction that improves but persists long-term.
- Further research is needed to determine residual cardiovascular and thrombotic risks in post-COVID-19 patients.
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