Non-invasive assessment of endothelial dysfunction: A novel method to predict severe COVID-19?

Med Hypotheses. 2020 Nov:144:110229. doi: 10.1016/j.mehy.2020.110229. Epub 2020 Sep 2.

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus has infected millions and overburdened the healthcare infrastructure globally. Recent studies show that the endothelial dysfunction caused by the virus contributes to its high morbidity and mortality. A parameter that can identify patients who will develop complications early will be valuable in patient management and reducing the burden on medical resources. An emerging technology is currently being tested to predict the cardiovascular risk via non-invasively measuring the endothelial dysfunction. This paper reviews how the assessment of endothelial dysfunction using this technology can be used as a potential parameter in the prognostication and management of COVID-19 patients.

Keywords: COVID-19; Endothelial dysfunction; Management; SARS-CoV-2; Technology.

MeSH terms

  • COVID-19 / complications
  • COVID-19 / diagnosis*
  • COVID-19 / epidemiology
  • COVID-19 Drug Treatment
  • COVID-19 Testing*
  • Cardiovascular Diseases
  • Comorbidity*
  • Cytokines / metabolism
  • Endothelium, Vascular / pathology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immune System
  • Male
  • Nitric Oxide / metabolism
  • Prognosis
  • Risk
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Vascular Diseases / diagnosis*
  • Vascular Diseases / epidemiology
  • Vascular Diseases / virology

Substances

  • Cytokines
  • Nitric Oxide