Protective effects of COVID-19 vaccination on endothelial function of patients with COVID-19

Abstract

Abstract Background Endotheliilitis COVID-19 related endothelial dysfunction plays a key role in the cardiovascular complications of the disease. Vaccine against SARS-CoV-2 protects against severe COVID-19 and from adverse effects. We evaluated the impact of vaccination on COVID-19 induced endothelial dysfunction. Methods We enrolled 45 patients hospitalized for COVID-19 (either vaccinated or not against SARS-CoV-2). Clinical information and laboratory findings were collected, and brachial artery flow-mediated dilation (FMD) was evaluated as a measure of endothelial function. Subjects without COVID-19 were used as the control group. All patients were hospitalized in a medical ward classified according to the World Health Organization (WHO) scale. Results There was no difference in age (62±10 years vs. 65±8 years, p=0.12) and male sex prevalence (56% vs. 49%, p=0.53) between patients with COVID-19 and control subjects. Of the patients with COVID-19, 44% (20) were vaccinated against SARS-CoV-2. FMD was impaired in patients with COVID-19 compared to controls (4.35±3.56% vs. 7.36±2.91%, p<0.001). In patients with COVID-19, FMD was impaired in non-vaccinated subjects compared to vaccinated (2.05±2.41% vs. 7.24±2.52%, p<0.001). There was no difference in FMD between controls and vaccinated against COVID-19 patients (7.36±2.91% vs. 7.24±2.52%, p=0.86). There was no difference in the WHO scale clinical status for vaccinated and not vaccinated COVID-19 subjects (For Vaccinated WHO scale 3: 35%; scale 4: 35%; scale 5: 30% vs. For Non-vaccinated WHO scale 3: 20; scale 4: 60%; scale 5: 20%, p=0.24). Conclusion Hospitalized patients with COVID-19 present endothelial dysfunction in the acute phase of the disease. Endothelial function in unvaccinated patients with COVID-19 is impaired compared to control subjects as well as compared to vaccinated patients with COVID-19. This data provides insights on the protective role of vaccination against COVID-19 related endotheliitis. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: None.