Background: Vascular Aging and Pulse Wave Velocity
To investigate the impact of a COVID-19 infection on vascular health, researchers measure the so-called pulse wave velocity (PWV). PWV indicates how fast the pulse wave travels from the heart through the large arteries. The faster the pulse wave, the stiffer the vessels. High stiffness is a sign of premature vascular aging. This means that the blood vessels lose elasticity and the risk of heart attack and stroke increases.
Study Design
The so-called CARTESIAN Study is a large, multicenter cohort study with 2,390 participants from 16 countries. Participants were divided into study groups: one group had never been infected with COVID-19 and three further groups were categorized according to the severity of their COVID-19 disease (no hospitalization, regular hospital care, and intensive care). Pulse wave velocity was measured approximately six and twelve months after infection.
Key Findings
Researchers demonstrated that especially women in the COVID-19 groups exhibited higher pulse wave velocity than participants in the control group without infection. This suggests accelerated vascular aging following COVID-19 disease. Among male participants, however, no significant difference in vascular stiffness between the groups was observed.
COVID-19 Vaccination May Offer Protection Against Vascular Damage
Additionally, women with persistent Long COVID symptoms had an even higher pulse wave velocity than symptom-free patients. After twelve months, the pulse wave velocity in participants of the COVID-19 groups stabilized or even slightly decreased.
The study further suggests that vaccination against COVID-19 is associated with lower vascular stiffness in women, indicating a possible protective effect against vascular damage.
Significance and Limitations
The findings of the CARTESIAN Study represent an important step towards better understanding the cardiovascular long-term consequences of COVID-19. The results indicate that COVID-19 can affect the vascular system, which may be particularly relevant for women. This could explain why Long COVID is frequently accompanied by persistent symptoms and an increased risk of cardiovascular disease.
Further Research Needed
At the same time, the study remains cautious in its conclusions: the data are observational and demonstrate associations but not direct causation. Further research is required to clarify the mechanisms underlying vascular changes and to determine the roles of different virus variants, repeated infections, or therapies.
What Do These Results Mean for Affected Individuals?
For people with Long COVID, these insights are significant as they highlight the value of regular medical monitoring, especially of cardiovascular health. Specialist examinations that also measure vascular stiffness can help identify risks early and initiate appropriate interventions.
Benefit for Medicine and Research
The CARTESIAN Study provides a valuable foundation for better monitoring and individualized care of patients with Long COVID. Measuring pulse wave velocity could aid in early detection of vascular changes. For research, the study represents a milestone enabling further investigation into the pathophysiology of Long COVID and potential therapeutic approaches.
