Association of COVID-19 and Arterial Stiffness Assessed using Cardiovascular Index (CAVI).

BACKGROUND: COVID-19 is characterized by an acute inflammatory response with the formation of endothelial dysfunction and may affect arterial stiffness. Studies of cardio-ankle vascular index in COVID-19 patients with considered cardiovascular risk factors have not been conducted. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of our study was to assess the association between cardio-ankle vascular index and COVID-19 in hospitalized patients adjusted for known cardiovascular risk factors. METHODS: A cross-sectional study included 174 people hospitalized with a diagnosis of moderate COVID-19 and 94 people without COVID-19. Significant differences in the cardio-ankle vascular index values measured by VaSera VS - 1500N between the two groups were analyzed using parametric (Student's t-criterion) and nonparametric (Mann-Whitney) criteria. Independent association between COVID-19 and an increased cardio-ankle vascular index ≥ 9.0 adjusted for known cardiovascular risk factors was assessed by multivariate logistic regression. RESULTS: There were significantly higher values of the right cardio-ankle vascular index 8.10 [7.00;9.40] and the left cardio-ankle vascular index 8.10 [6.95;9.65] in patients undergoing inpatient treatment for COVID-19 than in the control group - 7.55 [6.60;8.60] and 7.60 [6.60;8.70], respectively. A multivariate logistic regression model adjusted for age, hypertension, plasma glucose level, glomerular filtration rate and diabetes mellitus showed a significant association between increased cardio-ankle vascular index and COVID-19 (OR 2.41 [CI 1.09;5.30]). CONCLUSION: Hospitalized patients with COVID-19 had significantly higher cardio-ankle vascular index values compared to the control group. An association between an increased cardio-ankle vascular index and COVID-19 was revealed, independent of age, hypertension, plasma glucose level, glomerular filtration rate and diabetes mellitus.

Relationship Between Perivascular Adipose Tissue and Cardiovascular Risk Factors: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis aimed at estimating the association between perivascular adipose tissue (PVAT) and some of the cardiovascular risk factors. A systematic search was conducted from January 1980 up to and including 2022 to identify studies that examined the relationship between PVAT and cardiovascular risk factors as obesity and its indices, hypertension, lipids, and glucose intolerance/diabetes. The Medline and Embase databases were searched using the PubMed and Scopus. Data were extracted from 23 studies that fit the criteria. To conduct meta-analysis, we used an approximation of equating the method of correlating assessment because different authors used either Pearson or Spearman correlation. Interrelations of PVAT and body mass index were analyzed in eight studies. Most studies revealed reliable direct correlation; the results of the meta-analysis also showed a significant (P = 0.37, P < 0.01, n = 12,346) correlation. PVAT and waist circumference were analyzed in six studies. Meta-analysis on the selected sample (n = 10,947) showed a significant (r = 0.45, P < 0.01) correlation. Relationship between PVAT and hypertension was revealed in three studies. Direct correlations were found in all studies. Meta-analysis showed the reliability of the correlation dependence (r = 0.21, P < 0.01, n = 3996). PVAT and blood glucose was evaluated in three studies (n = 3689). In each study a reliable (P < 0.05) direct correlation was obtained. Meta-analysis showed a significant correlation of weak strength (r = 0.24, P < 0.01). We demonstrated significant positive correlations of PVAT with the levels of total cholesterol (r = 0.05, P < 0.01), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (r = 0.13, P < 0.01), and triglycerides (r = 0.29, P < 0.01), and a negative relationship with high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (r = -0.18, P < 0.01) in this meta-analysis. Despite some limitations, the findings of this systematic review and meta-analysis confirmed that PVAT significantly correlates with studied cardiovascular risk factors. Because PVAT presents a great interest in terms of cardiovascular remodeling and cardiovascular disease, its assessment in patients with and without cardiovascular pathology needs further research.

Case Report: A 64-Year-Old Man with 10-Year History of Eosinophilic Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis with Bronchiectasis and Severe Klebsiella pneumonia.

BACKGROUND Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA) is a rare and severe progressive disease with multiple clinical manifestations and organ damage. Usually, it requires long-term monitoring of the state of many organs due to the gradual character of its manifestations. CASE REPORT We report a case of a long-term follow-up of a patient with eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis with emphasis on specific clinical features in this patient. A 64-year-old man was being followed up for 10 years. The initial diagnosis was allergic bronchial asthma; however, as new clinical signs and symptoms developed, the diagnosis of EGPA became obvious. A positive treatment response was seen, mainly manifested as reduced polyneuropathy. Meanwhile, bronchial asthma remained uncontrolled and bronchiectasis and Klebsiella pneumoniae colonization developed despite the combination treatment with prednisolone and methotrexate. Furthermore, the patient suffered a cerebral ischemic infarction. During the last hospital admission, severe uncontrolled bronchial asthma complicated with pneumonia resulted in the patient's death. CONCLUSIONS This clinical case shows the gradual development of EGPA with multiple-organ involvement, including respiratory manifestations and peripheral and central nervous system damage. Immunosuppressive treatment combined with complications of EGPA could have contributed to severe pneumonia development and death of the patient.