Circulating biologic markers of endothelial dysfunction in COVID-19 patients

Background : COVID-19 course is characterized of thrombosis complications, respiratory failure, and a multiple organ failure development. One of the central pathogenic mechanism of COVID-19 is endothelial dysfunction which can lead to the hypercoagulability. Studying of the endothelial dysfunction markers in patients with COVID-19 could be useful for improving of disease's outcomes. Aims : To estimate potential endothelial damage in COVID-19 patients by measuring biomarkers of endothelial disfunction. Methods : The study included 221 patients with COVID-19 and 68 healthy controls. We studied ristocetin-cofactor von Willebrand's factor activity (vWF:RCo, %), antigen von Willebrand's factor (vWF:Ag,%), and homocysteine (HCY, μmol/l) . STATISTICA 12.0 package was used. Statistical analysis was performed by non-parametric methods (median (Me), 95% confidence interval (95% CI), Mann-Whitney U test), P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results : Conclusions : The increase of vWF:RCo activity, vWF:Ag and HCY may indicate endothelial damage in COVID-19 patients that can lead to hypercoagulability and predispose to thromboembolic complications. High vWF:Ag could be predictive marker of poor outcomes in COVID-19 patients.