Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 13, 2025
Measuring the Carotid to Femoral Pulse Wave Velocity Cf-PWV to Evaluate Arterial Stiffness
Published on: May 3, 2018
Arterial stiffness in adults with Long COVID in sub-Saharan Africa
Chikopela Theresa1, Bwalya Katebe1, Cyndya A Shibao2
1Department of Human Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Lusaka Apex Medical University, Lusaka, Zambia.
Insights
Adults with Long COVID show increased arterial stiffness compared to healthy individuals. This finding suggests a potential link between persistent SARS-CoV-2 symptoms and cardiovascular risks, highlighting the need for further research.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Science
- Infectious Disease Epidemiology
- Clinical Physiology
Background:
- Severe acute coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection is linked to endothelial damage and impaired nitric oxide production, increasing cardiovascular disease risk.
- Long COVID, characterized by persistent or new symptoms post-infection, has an unknown association with arterial stiffness.
- Arterial stiffness is a predictor of cardiovascular events and is influenced by endothelial function.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between arterial stiffness and Long COVID in young adults.
- To compare measures of arterial stiffness in individuals with Long COVID versus age- and gender-matched controls.
Main Methods:
- An observational, cross-sectional study involving 74 participants (53 with Long COVID, 21 controls) aged 19-40 years.
- Arterial stiffness was measured using carotid-radial pulse wave velocity (crPWV) and carotid-radial arterial stiffness index (crASI) via the Complior analyze unit protocol.
- Data collection occurred 1-9 months post-acute COVID-19 infection.
Main Results:
- The Long COVID group exhibited significantly higher crPWV (10 m/s IQR 8.5-11.2 vs. 8.8 m/s IQR 7.7-9.2) and crASI (2.26 cm/ms IQR 1.9-2.56 vs. 2.01 cm/ms IQR 1.82-2.27) compared to controls (p < 0.05).
- Participants with Long COVID showed a higher prevalence of type-A waveforms, indicative of increased arterial stiffening.
- Peripheral arterial stiffness was elevated in adults with Long COVID.
Conclusions:
- Adults with Long COVID demonstrate increased peripheral arterial stiffness months after acute infection.
- Elevated arterial stiffness in Long COVID patients suggests a potential long-term cardiovascular complication.
- Further research is warranted to understand the mechanisms and clinical implications of arterial stiffness in Long COVID.
Abstract:
Severe acute coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection has been associated with endothelial damage, and impaired nitric oxide production, which results in arterial stiffness and increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Long COVID is a term used to describe the persistence or the development of new symptoms that can occur after an acute infection. Little is known about the association between arterial stiffness and Long COVID. An observational, cross-sectional study in which arterial stiffness was measured with pulse wave velocity (PWV) was carried out in 74 participants between 19 and 40 years old (53 with Long COVID, 21 age and gender-matched controls). Data was collected from participants between 1 and 9 months after acute COVID-19 infection using the Complior analyze unit protocol. The Long COVID group had higher carotid-radial-PWV (crPWV) than controls (10 m/s interquartile range [IQR] 8.5-11.2 m/s) versus 8.8 m/s (IQR 7.7-9.2 m/s) as was their carotid-radial-arterial stiffness index (crASI) (2.26 cm/ms (IQR 1.9-2.56 cm/ms) vs. 2.01 cm/ms (IQR 1.82-2.27 cm/ms); p < 0.05) in both. They also had more type-A waveforms, indicating increased arterial stiffening. Peripheral arterial stiffness was higher in adults with Long COVID than in controls who were never infected with SARS-CoV-2 as noted by the elevated levels of crPWV and crASI among adults with Long COVID.
Related Concept Videos
01:11Assessing Blood pressure in the Leg
Preparation:
01:27Assessment of the Cardiovascular System III: Palpation
Jugular Venous Pressure (JVP) Measurement
Position the patient at a thirty- to forty-five-degree angle or in a semi-fowler's position. Look for the highest point of pulsation in the internal jugular vein and measure the vertical distance to the angle of Loius or sternal angle. A normal JVP is 3-4 cm above...
01:20Arteries of Lower Limbs
01:24Arteries of the Lower Limbs
Various factors can trigger epilepsy, including genetic factors, brain damage, metabolic causes, and unknown etiology. Diagnosis of epilepsy involves electroencephalography (EEG), which...
01:23Assessment of the Cardiovascular System I: Subjective Data
Initial Enquiry
Ask the patient about their primary concern and thoroughly explore all reported symptoms.
Medical History
Investigate past illnesses affecting the cardiovascular system, such as angina, anemia, rheumatic fever, congenital heart disease, stroke, thrombophlebitis, dysrhythmias, varicosities
Inquire about symptoms...
01:12Arteries of the Upper Limbs