Cerebral Vasomotor Reactivity in COVID-19: A Narrative Review

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Vascular Biology
• Infectious Diseases

Background:

• Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) causes neurological complications beyond respiratory symptoms.
• Endothelial dysfunction, termed endotheliitis, is a key factor in COVID-19 pathogenesis.
• Cerebral hemodynamic impairment is associated with increased COVID-19 severity and adverse outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the literature on the role of vasomotor reactivity (VMR) in COVID-19 patients.
• To understand the connection between endothelial dysfunction and VMR impairment in COVID-19.
• To explore the implications of VMR alterations for disease progression and treatment.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of research articles on VMR in COVID-19.
• Analysis of studies investigating endothelial dysfunction and cerebral hemodynamics in COVID-19 patients.
• Synthesis of findings regarding the impact of viral infections on endothelial cells and VMR.

Main Results:

• Most studies support the hypothesis of endothelial dysfunction and impaired cerebral VMR in COVID-19.
• Alterations in VMR are attributed to direct viral effects or indirect inflammatory responses.
• Impaired VMR in COVID-19 correlates with a higher risk of severe disease and poor prognosis.

Conclusions:

• Endothelial dysfunction and impaired VMR are significant findings in COVID-19 patients.
• VMR assessment offers valuable insights into disease progression and treatment strategies.
• Continued research is crucial for developing interventions, especially for patients with cerebrovascular risk factors, to improve survival rates in future pandemics.