Key result
COVID-19 survivors evaluated 3-6 months post-infection had significantly higher aortic stiffness index (2.82 vs 2.46, p<0.001) and reduced aortic distensibility compared to healthy controls.
Why the study?
SARS-CoV-2 may cause direct or indirect, potentially permanent damage to the cardiovascular system, and the potential effects on the vascular system assessed by transthoracic echocardiography needed evaluation.
Does a history of COVID-19 infection impair aortic elasticity parameters in survivors compared to healthy controls?
Case-Control (n=100)
Does a history of COVID-19 infection impair aortic elasticity parameters in survivors compared to healthy controls?
Answers are grounded in this paper and cite their sources.
Survivors of COVID-19 demonstrate echocardiographic evidence of increased arterial stiffness and impaired aortic elasticity 3-6 months post-infection, suggesting potential long-term vascular consequences.
OBJECTIVE: While severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) primarily affects lung tissue, it may cause direct or indirect damage to the cardiovascular system, and permanent damage may occur. Arterial stiffness is an early indicator of cardiovascular disease risk. The aim of our study was to establish the potential effects of SARS-CoV-2 on the vascular system evaluated by transthoracic echocardiographic examination. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: This study compared arterial stiffness between the survivors of COVID-19 and those without a history of COVID-19 infection. The difference in aortic diameter was examined using echocardiography. RESULTS: The study included 50 patients who survived COVID-19 in the last 3-6 months and 50 age- and gender-matched healthy volunteers. In surviving COVID-19 patients, aortic diastolic diameter in cm ([3.1 ± 0.2] vs. [2.9 ± 0.1], p < 0.001), pulse pressure (PP) ([43.02 ± 14.05] vs. [35.74 ± 9.86], p = 0.004), aortic distensibility ([5.61 ± 3.57] vs. [8.31 ± 3.82], p < 0.001), aortic strain ([10.56 ± 4.91] vs. [13.88 ± 5.86], p = 0.003), PP/stroke volume index ([1.25 ± 0.47] vs. [0.98 ± 0.28], p = 0.001), and aortic stiffness index ([2.82 ± 0.47] vs. [2.46 ± 0.45], p < 0.001) were statistically significant compared to the control group. CONCLUSION: SARS-CoV-2 may cause reduced or impaired aortic elasticity parameters linked to impaired arterial wall function in COVID-19 survivors compared with controls.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Küçük et al. (2022) conducted a case-control in COVID-19 (n=100). COVID-19 infection vs. Healthy volunteers without a history of COVID-19 was evaluated on Aortic stiffness index (p=<0.001). COVID-19 survivors evaluated 3-6 months post-infection had significantly higher aortic stiffness index (2.82 vs 2.46, p<0.001) and reduced aortic distensibility compared to healthy controls.
Synapse has enriched 10 related papers. Consider them for comparative context: