Structural and functional properties of arteries in COVID-19 survivors

Aim . The study of the structural and functional properties of arteries in patients after a coronavirus disease 2019. Material and methods . The study included 113 people: 45 people who were examined before the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, healthy individuals who had COVID-19 (n=44), 24 patients with hypertension (HTN) in combination with prior COVID-19. In the individuals included in the study, the blood tests were performed, while the carotid arteries were evaluated using high-RF signal technology, applanation tonometry, volume sphygmography, and a test with post-occlusive reactive hyperemia were performed. Results . According to the study of carotid arteries, significant differences were registered between groups of healthy individuals (with and without a history of COVID-19) and HTN patients after COVID-19. According to the applanation tonometry in patients with hypertension and COVID-19 in history, aortic pressure and carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity significantly exceeded those in cohorts of individuals without cardiovascular diseases. According to the results of volume sphygmography in the group of patients after COVID-19, signs of early vascular aging were revealed, and the maximum values of these indicators were recorded in the group of hypertensive patients. Conclusion . The results obtained in the course of this study make it possible to state an increase in the arterial stiffness in people after COVID-19, which can be regarded as a sign of early vascular aging.