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Persistent Endothelial Lung Damage and Impaired Diffusion Capacity in Long COVID
Andreas T Asimakos1, Alice G Vassiliou1, Chrysi Keskinidou1
1First Department of Critical Care Medicine & Pulmonary Services, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Evangelismos Hospital, 106 76 Athens, Greece.
Journal of Personalized Medicine
|September 28, 2023
Summary
Endothelial dysfunction markers are elevated in long COVID patients, impacting lung function and physical capacity. Soluble adhesion molecules like sICAM-1 and sVCAM-1 correlate with reduced lung diffusion and exercise tolerance.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Biology
- Pulmonology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Long COVID, a persistent condition post-SARS-CoV-2 infection, presents diverse symptoms.
- Endothelial activation and dysfunction are implicated in COVID-19 severity and mortality.
- The role of endothelial biomarkers in long COVID sequelae requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between endothelial activation/dysfunction biomarkers and long COVID syndrome.
- To explore the relationship between endothelial markers and functional capacity in long COVID patients.
Main Methods:
- Observational study including 68 long COVID patients and a healthy control group.
- Measurement of 13 endothelial biomarkers in both groups.
- Assessment of fatigue, dyspnea, lung diffusion capacity (DLCO), and 6-minute walk test (6MWT) in long COVID patients.
Main Results:
- Long COVID patients exhibited higher levels of endothelial activation/dysfunction markers compared to controls.
- Soluble intracellular adhesion molecule 1 (sICAM-1) and soluble vascular adhesion molecule 1 (sVCAM-1) showed significant negative correlations with DLCO and 6MWT.
- sVCAM-1 demonstrated a strong negative correlation with 6MWT (r = -0.504, p < 0.0001).
Conclusions:
- Endothelial activation/dysfunction plays a role in the pathophysiology of long COVID.
- Endothelial biomarkers, particularly sICAM-1 and sVCAM-1, may serve as indicators of impaired lung and functional capacity in long COVID.
- Integrating endothelial biomarker assessment with clinical tests can enhance understanding of long COVID mechanisms.
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