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Open Access 07-02-2024 | Post-COVID Syndrome | Research

Endothelial dysfunction and cardiovascular risk in post-COVID-19 patients after 6- and 12-months SARS-CoV-2 infection

Authors: Paula Poyatos, Neus Luque, Gladis Sabater, Saioa Eizaguirre, Marc Bonnin, Ramon Orriols, Olga Tura-Ceide

Published in: Infection | Issue 4/2024

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Abstract

Introduction

SARS-CoV-2 infection causes severe endothelial damage, an essential step for cardiovascular complications. Endothelial-colony forming cells (ECFCs) act as a biomarker of vascular damage but their role in SARS-CoV-2 remain unclear. The aim of this study was to assess whether the number of ECFCs and angiogenic biomarkers remained altered after 6 and 12-months post-infection and whether this imbalance correlated with the presence of long-COVID syndrome and other biological parameters measured.

Methods

Seventy-two patients were recruited at different time-points after overcoming COVID-19 and thirty-one healthy controls. All subjects were matched for age, gender, BMI, and comorbidities. ECFCs were obtained from peripheral blood and cultured with specific conditions.

Results

The results confirm the presence of a long-term sequela in post-COVID-19 patients, with an abnormal increase in ECFC production compared to controls (82.8% vs. 48.4%, P < 0.01) that is maintained up to 6-months (87.0% vs. 48.4%, P < 0.01) and 12-months post-infection (85.0% vs. 48.4%, P < 0.01). Interestingly, post-COVID-19 patients showed a significant downregulation of angiogenesis-related proteins compared to controls indicating a clear endothelial injury. Troponin, NT-proBNP and ferritin levels, markers of cardiovascular risk and inflammation, remained elevated up to 12-months post-infection. Patients with lower numbers of ECFC exhibited higher levels of inflammatory markers, such as ferritin, suggesting that ECFCs may play a protective role. Additionally, long-COVID syndrome was associated with higher ferritin levels and with female gender.

Conclusions

These findings highlight the presence of vascular sequela that last up to 6- and 12-months post-infection and point out the need for preventive measures and patient follow-up.
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Metadata
Title
Endothelial dysfunction and cardiovascular risk in post-COVID-19 patients after 6- and 12-months SARS-CoV-2 infection
Authors
Paula Poyatos
Neus Luque
Gladis Sabater
Saioa Eizaguirre
Marc Bonnin
Ramon Orriols
Olga Tura-Ceide
Publication date
07-02-2024
Publisher
Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in
Infection / Issue 4/2024
Print ISSN: 0300-8126
Electronic ISSN: 1439-0973
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s15010-024-02173-5

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