Background: While SARS-CoV-2 primarily affects the lungs, the virus may be inflicting detriments to the cardiovascular system, both directly through angiotensin converting enzyme 2 receptor as well as initiating systemic inflammation. Persistent systemic inflammation may be provoking vascular dysfunction, an early indication of cardiovascular disease risk. Methods: In order to establish the potential effects of SARS-CoV-2 on the systemic vasculature in the arms and legs, we performed a cross-sectional analysis of young healthy adults (Control: 5M/15F, 23.0±1.3y, 167±9cm, 63.0±7.4kg) and young adults who, 3-4 weeks prior to testing, had tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 (SARS-CoV-2: 4M/7F, 20.2±1.1y, 172±12cm, 69.5±12.4kg) (mean±SD). Using Doppler ultrasound, brachial artery flow-mediated dilation (FMD) in the arm and single passive limb movement (sPLM) in the leg were assessed as markers of vascular function. Pulse wave velocity (PWVcf) was assessed as a marker of arterial stiffness. Results: FMD was lower in the SARS-CoV-2 group (2.71±1.21%) compared to the Control group (8.81±2.96%) (P<0.01) and when made relative to the shear stimulus (SARS-CoV-2: 0.04±0.02AU, Control: 0.13±0.06AU, P<0.01). The femoral artery blood flow response, as evidenced by the area under the curve, from the sPLM was lower in the SARS-CoV-2 group (-3±91ml) compared with the Control group (118±114ml) (P<0.01). PWVcf was higher in the SARS-CoV-2 group (5.83±0.62m/s) compared with the Control group (5.17±0.66m/s) (P<0.01). Conclusions: Significantly lower systemic vascular function and higher arterial stiffness are evident weeks after testing positive for SARS-CoV-2 among young adults compared to controls.

中文翻译：

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患有 SARS-CoV-2 的年轻人的血管改变

背景：虽然 SARS-CoV-2 主要影响肺部，但该病毒可能直接通过血管紧张素转换酶 2 受体以及引发全身炎症对心血管系统造成损害。持续的全身炎症可能会引起血管功能障碍，这是心血管疾病风险的早期迹象。方法：为了确定 SARS-CoV-2 对手臂和腿部全身脉管系统的潜在影响，我们对年轻健康成人（对照：5M/15F，23.0±1.3y，167± 9cm, 63.0±7.4kg) 和在测试前 3-4 周检测出 SARS-CoV-2 呈阳性的年轻成年人 (SARS-CoV-2: 4M/7F, 20.2±1.1y, 172±12cm, 69.5 ±12.4kg)（平均值±SD）。使用多普勒超声，手臂中的肱动脉血流介导的扩张 (FMD) 和腿部的单被动肢体运动 (sPLM) 被评估为血管功能的标志物。脉搏波速度 (PWVcf) 被评估为动脉僵硬度的标志。结果：与对照组 (8.81±2.96%) 相比，SARS-CoV-2 组 (2.71±1.21%) 的 FMD 较低 (P<0.01)，并且相对于剪切刺激 (SARS-CoV-2： 0.04±0.02AU，对照：0.13±0.06AU，P<0.01）。与对照组（118±114ml）相比，SARS-CoV-2组（-3±91ml）来自sPLM的sPLM曲线下面积所证明的股动脉血流反应较低（P<0.01） . 与对照组（5.17±0.66m/s）相比，SARS-CoV-2 组（5.83±0.62m/s）的 PWVcf 较高（P<0.01）。结论：