Retinal vascular impairment matched to the pulmonary damage in early post-COVID 19 patients.
Eur J Ophthalmol
; 32(6): 3574-3583, 2022 Nov.
Article
in English
| MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1691091
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Endothelium damage is a crucial element in the pathogenesis of SARS-Cov-2 infection. Most casualties in critical COVID-19 cases are due to ARDS, diffuse coagulopathy and cytokine storm. ARDS itself is a consequence of pulmonary endothelial cells damage. Damage to retinal capillary microcirculation in post-infective period has been investigated through Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography (OCTA). The aim of the present study is to find a correlation between signs of retinal vascular damage and pulmonary impairment.METHODS:
Patients admitted to hospital and subsequently recovered from COVID-19 infection were summoned 1 month later to undergo coherence tomography (CT) scan and OCTA examination.RESULTS:
The study population included 87 COVID-19 patients with a mean age of 54.28 ± 14.44 years. Oxygen therapy, non-invasive and invasive mechanical ventilation were necessary in 33, 11 and 4 patients respectively to provide respiratory support during the acute course of the disease. Pulmonary involvement interested 54 patients (62.1%). Peripheral (27.6%) or diffuse (29.9%) involvement and ground glass (GG) opacities (47.1%) represented the prevalent radiological finding. A reduced RCPI FI was independently correlated with the presence of reticulation pattern in CT scan (p = .019). Also, RNFL and GCC were thinner in patients who displayed reticulation pattern (respectively p = .025 and p = .015).CONCLUSIONS:
A reduction in RPCP-FI and RNFL and GCC thickness were independently correlated to the presence of CT reticulation pattern. This association can reflect cytokine induced remodeling in both organs as a consequence of systemic endothelial damage and inflammation.Keywords
Full text:
Available
Collection:
International databases
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Respiratory Distress Syndrome
/
COVID-19
Type of study:
Prognostic study
Topics:
Long Covid
Limits:
Adult
/
Aged
/
Humans
/
Middle aged
Language:
English
Journal:
Eur J Ophthalmol
Journal subject:
Ophthalmology
Year:
2022
Document Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
11206721221079153
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