tetano
Editor, Senior Moderator
J Appl Physiol (1985)
. 2022 Apr 19.
doi: 10.1152/japplphysiol.00793.2021. Online ahead of print.
Six-Month Longitudinal Tracking of Arterial Stiffness and Blood Pressure in Young Adults Following SARS-CoV-2 Infection
Rachel E Szeghy[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Nina L Stute[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Valesha M Province[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Marc A Augenreich[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Jonathon L Stickford[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Abigail S L Stickford[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Stephen M Ratchford[SUP] 1 [/SUP]
Affiliations
Abstract
Introduction: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) can increase arterial stiffness 3-4 weeks following infection, even among young, healthy adults. However, the long-term impacts of SARS-CoV-2 infection on cardiovascular health and the duration of recovery remains unknown.
Purpose: The purpose of this study was to elucidate potential long-lasting effects of SARS-CoV-2 infection on markers of arterial stiffness among young adults during the six months following infection.
Methods: Assessments were performed at months 1, 2, 3, 4, and ~6 following SARS-CoV-2 infection. Doppler ultrasound was utilized to measure carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV) and carotid stiffness, and arterial tonometry was used to measure central blood pressures and aortic augmentation index at a heart rate of 75 beats∙min[SUP]-1[/SUP] (AIx@HR75). Vascular (VCAM-1) and intracellular (ICAM-1) adhesion molecules were analyzed as circulating markers of arterial stiffness.
Results: From months 1-6, a significant reduction in cfPWV was observed (month1: 5.70±0.73m·s[SUP]-1[/SUP]; month6: 4.88±0.65m·s[SUP]-1[/SUP]; p<0.05) without any change in carotid stiffness measures. Reductions in systolic blood pressure (month1: 123±8mmHg; month6: 112±11mmHg) and mean arterial pressure (month1: 97±6mmHg; month6: 86±7mmHg) were observed (p<0.05), although AIx@HR75 did not change over time. The month1-6 change in cfPWV and MAP were correlated (r=0.894; p<0.001). A reduction in VCAM-1 was observed at month 3 compared with month 1 (month1: 5575±2242pg·ml[SUP]-1[/SUP]; month3: 4636±1621pg·ml[SUP]-1[/SUP]; p<0.05) without a change in ICAM-1.
Conclusion: A reduction in cfPWV was related with MAP, and some indicators of arterial stiffness remain elevated for several months following SARS-CoV-2 infection, possibly contributing to prolonged recovery and increased cardiovascular health risks.
Keywords: COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; blood pressure; carotid stiffness; pulse wave velocity.
. 2022 Apr 19.
doi: 10.1152/japplphysiol.00793.2021. Online ahead of print.
Six-Month Longitudinal Tracking of Arterial Stiffness and Blood Pressure in Young Adults Following SARS-CoV-2 Infection
Rachel E Szeghy[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Nina L Stute[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Valesha M Province[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Marc A Augenreich[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Jonathon L Stickford[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Abigail S L Stickford[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Stephen M Ratchford[SUP] 1 [/SUP]
Affiliations
- PMID: 35439042
- DOI: 10.1152/japplphysiol.00793.2021
Abstract
Introduction: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) can increase arterial stiffness 3-4 weeks following infection, even among young, healthy adults. However, the long-term impacts of SARS-CoV-2 infection on cardiovascular health and the duration of recovery remains unknown.
Purpose: The purpose of this study was to elucidate potential long-lasting effects of SARS-CoV-2 infection on markers of arterial stiffness among young adults during the six months following infection.
Methods: Assessments were performed at months 1, 2, 3, 4, and ~6 following SARS-CoV-2 infection. Doppler ultrasound was utilized to measure carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV) and carotid stiffness, and arterial tonometry was used to measure central blood pressures and aortic augmentation index at a heart rate of 75 beats∙min[SUP]-1[/SUP] (AIx@HR75). Vascular (VCAM-1) and intracellular (ICAM-1) adhesion molecules were analyzed as circulating markers of arterial stiffness.
Results: From months 1-6, a significant reduction in cfPWV was observed (month1: 5.70±0.73m·s[SUP]-1[/SUP]; month6: 4.88±0.65m·s[SUP]-1[/SUP]; p<0.05) without any change in carotid stiffness measures. Reductions in systolic blood pressure (month1: 123±8mmHg; month6: 112±11mmHg) and mean arterial pressure (month1: 97±6mmHg; month6: 86±7mmHg) were observed (p<0.05), although AIx@HR75 did not change over time. The month1-6 change in cfPWV and MAP were correlated (r=0.894; p<0.001). A reduction in VCAM-1 was observed at month 3 compared with month 1 (month1: 5575±2242pg·ml[SUP]-1[/SUP]; month3: 4636±1621pg·ml[SUP]-1[/SUP]; p<0.05) without a change in ICAM-1.
Conclusion: A reduction in cfPWV was related with MAP, and some indicators of arterial stiffness remain elevated for several months following SARS-CoV-2 infection, possibly contributing to prolonged recovery and increased cardiovascular health risks.
Keywords: COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; blood pressure; carotid stiffness; pulse wave velocity.
