Chest pain and coronary endothelial dysfunction after recovery from COVID-19: A case series

Samit M Shah1,2, Natalija Odanovic1, Steffne Kunnirickal1

  • 1Section of Cardiovascular Medicine Yale School of Medicine New Haven Connecticut USA.

Clinical Case Reports
|April 15, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Survivors of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) may experience lingering chest pain due to coronary endothelial dysfunction. This condition can persist for months after the initial infection, affecting even previously healthy individuals.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Medicine
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Vascular Biology

Background:

  • Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is known to affect vascular health.
  • Endothelial cell damage has been observed in various vascular beds following COVID-19 infection.
  • Post-COVID-19 symptoms, including chest pain, are frequently reported by survivors.

Observation:

  • This case series focuses on two previously healthy, middle-aged individuals.
  • Both individuals had a history of surviving COVID-19.
  • Symptomatic coronary endothelial dysfunction was diagnosed months after their initial infection.

Findings:

  • The study identified persistent coronary endothelial dysfunction in COVID-19 survivors.
  • This dysfunction manifested as symptomatic chest pain, occurring months post-infection.
  • The findings suggest a potential long-term vascular complication of COVID-19.

Implications:

  • Coronary endothelial dysfunction may be an underrecognized complication of COVID-19.
  • Persistent chest pain in COVID-19 survivors warrants investigation for endothelial dysfunction.
  • Further research is needed to understand the mechanisms and long-term prognosis of post-COVID-19 vascular complications.

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