Vascular alterations among young adults with SARS-CoV-2

While SARS-CoV-2 primarily affects the lungs, the virus may be inflicting detriments to the cardiovascular system, both directly through angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 receptor and initiating systemic inflammation. Persistent systemic inflammation may be provoking vascular dysfunction, an early indication of cardiovascular disease risk. To establish the potential effects of SARS-CoV-2 on the systemic vasculature in the arms and legs, we performed a cross-sectional analysis of young healthy adults (control: 5 M/15 F, 23.0 +/- 1.3 y, 167 +/- 9 cm, 63.0 +/- 7.4 kg) and young adults who, 3-4wk prior to testing, had tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 (SARS-CoV-2: 4 M/7 F, 20.2 +/- 1.1 y, 172 +/- 12 cm, 69.5 +/- 12.4 kg) (means +/- SD). Using Doppler ultrasound, brachial artery flow-mediated dilation (FMD) in the arm and single passive limb movement (sPLM) in the leg were assessed as markers of vascular function. Carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (PWVcf) was asysessed as a marker of arterial stiffness. FMD was lower in the SARS-CoV-2 group (2.71 +/- 1.21%) compared with the control group (8.81 +/- 2.96%) (P < 0.01) and when made relative to the shear stimulus (SARS-CoV-2: 0.04 +/- 0.02 AU, control: 0.13 +/- 0.06AU, P < 0.01). The femoral artery blood flow response, as evidenced by the area under the curve, from the sPLM was lower in the SARS-CoV-2 group ( 3 +/- 91 mL) compared with the control group (118 +/- 114 mL) (P < 0.01). PWVcf was higher in the SARS-CoV-2 group (5.83 +/- 0.62 m/s) compared with the control group (5.17 +/- 0.66 m/s) (P < 0.01). Significantly lower systemic vascular function and higher arterial stiffness are evident weeks after testing positive for SARS-CoV-2 among young adults compared with controls. NEW & NOTEWORTHY This study was the first to investigate the vascular implications of contracting SARS-CoV-2 among young, otherwise healthy adults. Using a cross-sectional design, this study assessed vascular function 3-4wk after young adults tested positive for SARS-CoV-2. The main findings from this study were a strikingly lower vascular function and a higher arterial stiffness compared with healthy controls. Together, these results suggest rampant vascular effects seen weeks after contracting SARS-CoV-2 in young adults.

Automated summary

This study found significantly lower vascular function and higher arterial stiffness in young adults weeks after testing positive for SARS-CoV-2 compared to healthy controls. These results suggest significant vascular effects persist in young adults weeks after contracting SARS-CoV-2.