Abstract

Burden of cardiovascular diseases in COVID-19 survivors is substantial. It may be caused by endothelial dysfunction triggered by COVID-19 and progressing later.


Aims. To investigate relationship between COVID-19 severity and endothelial dysfunction in post-COVID period.


Materials and methods. 36 patients recovered from COVID-19 pneumonia (age ? 57,5 (49,8; 64,0), men ? 18 (50,0 %)) were investigated at 60,0 (43,8; 61,3) day from COVID-19 beginning. Clinical, anamnestic and laboratory methods were used. Endothelin-1 (ET-1) was used as endothelial dysfunction marker. Non-parametric statistical methods and cluster analysis were used.


Results. Cluster analysis revealed two heterogeneous groups: 1) with lower saturation, higher C-reactive proteins levels both measured in acute phase of COVID-19 and higher ET-1 in post-COVID period; 2) with higher saturation, lower C-reactive proteins levels measured in acute phase of COVID-19 and lower ET-1 in post-COVID period (Fig. 1), (p<0,05).


Conclusions. There are two variants of post-COVID period course relating to endothelial function. Low saturation and high CRP during COVID-19 predict endothelial dysfunction after COVID-19. Such patients should be ?arefully observed in post-COVID period to predict and treat complications.