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Updated: Jun 19, 2025
Monitoring Changes in Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells upon Viral Infection Using Impedance-Based Real-Time Cell Analysis
Published on: May 5, 2023
Clinical Implications of COVID-19-Related Endothelial Dysfunction
Michael Aljadah1, Nabeel Khan1, Andreas M Beyer1
1Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA.
Insights
COVID-19 infection can cause endothelial dysfunction, a key sign of vascular disease, persisting for months post-infection. Research is exploring treatments to improve vascular health after COVID-19.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Infectious Diseases
- Vascular Biology
Background:
- Endothelial dysfunction is an early indicator of vascular disease.
- Cardiovascular risk is elevated for at least 12 months after COVID-19 infection, irrespective of prior cardiovascular disease.
- SARS-CoV-2 infection impacts vascular health, necessitating further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the link between endothelial dysfunction severity and COVID-19 illness severity.
- To assess endothelial function impairment post-recovery in individuals with and without post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection.
- To examine current therapeutic strategies for endothelial function in post-COVID-19 patients.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on endothelial dysfunction and COVID-19.
- Analysis of the relationship between acute COVID-19 severity and endothelial dysfunction.
- Evaluation of recovery and long-term endothelial function following SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Main Results:
- Endothelial dysfunction is a significant finding in COVID-19 patients.
- Impairment of endothelial function can persist long after acute infection, even in asymptomatic cases.
- The severity of endothelial dysfunction correlates with the severity of acute COVID-19 illness.
Conclusions:
- Endothelial dysfunction is a critical factor in the long-term cardiovascular risk associated with COVID-19.
- Further research is needed to understand the mechanisms linking SARS-CoV-2 to endothelial dysfunction.
- Targeting endothelial function holds promise for developing effective therapeutics for post-COVID-19 cardiovascular complications.
Abstract:
Endothelial dysfunction represents a measurable and early manifestation of vascular disease. Emerging evidence suggests cardiovascular risk remains elevated after COVID-19 infection for at least 12 months, regardless of cardiovascular disease status prior to infection. We review the relationship between the severity of endothelial dysfunction and the severity of acute COVID-19 illness, the degree of impairment following recovery in both those with and without postacute sequalae SARS-CoV-2 infection, and current therapeutic efforts targeting endothelial function in patients following COVID-19 infection. We identify gaps in the literature to highlight specific areas where clinical research efforts hold promise for progress in understanding the connections between endothelial function, COVID-19, and clinical outcomes that will lead to beneficial therapeutics.
