Longitudinal Tracking of Arterial Stiffness Among Young Adults with SARS‐CoV‐2

Abstract

IntroductionSystemic vascular alterations have been implicated as a result of contracting SARS‐CoV‐2. While our group has recently observed acute decrements in vascular function and arterial stiffness, the long‐term implications of SARS‐CoV‐2 on arterial stiffness and vascular architecture in subsequent months is unknown.Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the prolonged implications of SARS‐CoV‐2 on carotid stiffness, carotid‐femoral pulse wave velocity (PWV), and pulse wave analysis (PWA) three months after infection. We hypothesized PWVcf, carotid stiffness, and PWA measures would decrease three months after contracting SARS‐CoV‐2.Methods: We assessed 7 young adults (4M/3F) at baseline (3‐4 weeks after testing positive for SARS‐CoV‐2) and at 1‐month and 2‐month follow‐up visits. Doppler ultrasound was used to assess carotid distensibility, stiffness, carotid intima media thickness, and PWVcf. Sphygmocor was utilized to determine carotid distensibility and aortic augmentation (AIx), as well as brachial and aortic arterial pressures.Results: Mean arterial pressure (MAP) decreased following infection (BL: 98.7±4.8 mmHg; 1‐month follow‐up: 92.7±10.4mmHg; 2‐month follow‐up: 88.6±5.0mmHg; p<0.05). There was a tendency for brachial systolic blood pressure (BL: 129.7±8.5mmHg; 1‐month follow‐up: 124.9±12.3mmHg; 2‐month follow‐up: 121.4±8.4mmHg; p=0.073), brachial diastolic blood pressure (BL: 74.0±6.7mmHg; 1‐month follow‐up: 73.6±10.6mmHg; 2‐month follow‐up: 67.0±8.9; p=0.066), and aortic systolic pressure (BL: 123.9±7.3mmHg; 1‐month follow‐up: 119.7±11.9mmHg; 2‐month follow‐up: 114.1±7.1mmHg; p=0.089) and aortic diastolic pressure (BL: 74.00±6.6mmHg; 1‐month follow‐up: 73.4±10.7mmHg; 2‐month follow‐up: 67.3±9.4mmHg; p=0.068) to decrease (p<0.1). Carotid stiffness, PWVcf, PWA measures were unaltered months following SARS‐CoV‐2 infection.Conclusion: Preliminary results indicate a lack of improvement in arterial stiffness in young adults three months following contraction of SARS‐CoV‐2. The tendency for a decrease in arterial pressures, however, indicates a possible improvement of overall cardiovascular health.