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- Title
Retinal vascular impairment matched to the pulmonary damage in early post-COVID 19 patients.
- Authors
Savastano, Maria Cristina; Larici, Anna Rita; Crincoli, Emanuele; De Filippis, Alessandro; Cicchetti, Giuseppe; Gambini, Gloria; Savastano, Alfonso; Marano, Riccardo; Natale, Luigi; Rizzo, Stanislao
- 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.
- Publication
European Journal of Ophthalmology, 2022, Vol 32, Issue 6, p3574
- ISSN
1120-6721
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1177/11206721221079153