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Retinal vascular impairment matched to the pulmonary damage in early post-COVID 19 patients
- Source :
- European Journal of Ophthalmology. 32:3574-3583
- Publication Year :
- 2022
- Publisher :
- SAGE Publications, 2022.
-
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.
Details
- ISSN :
- 17246016 and 11206721
- Volume :
- 32
- Database :
- OpenAIRE
- Journal :
- European Journal of Ophthalmology
- Accession number :
- edsair.doi.dedup.....3deb816cca9708343cbcaa1a6cbf27e7