Impact of a new coronavirus infection on the level of inflammatory, haemostasis markers and microcirculatory parameters of patients with arterial hypertension

   Relevance. The COVID-19 pandemic and its consequences have significantly affected the health of the population as a whole. Persons who have undergone coronavirus infection against the background of chronic cardiovascular diseases and obesity deserve special attention.

   Aim. To study and compare the main indicators of carbohydrate and lipid metabolism the level of inflammatory and haemostasis markers, microvascular changes in obesity AH patients and in AH patients with normal body weight 1 month after a new coronavirus infection in moderate to severe form.

   Materials and methods. The study included 87 patients of both sexes, aged from 18 to 55 years, from which three groups were formed: the first group included people with AH and normal body weight (BMI<25 kg/m²) who had undergone COVID-19 within a month, the second group included people with AH and obesity (BMI≥30 kg/m²) who had undergone COVID-19 within a month, the control group consisted of 20 people with AH and obesity without COVID-19. The parameters of height, weight, waist circumference, and BMI were assessed in all subjects. The parameters of lipid profile, glucose level were determined, inflammatory markers and haemostasis parameters. All participants underwent laser Doppler flowmetry (LDF) on the forearm with constrictor and dilator functional tests, and single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) in combination with x-ray computed tomography (SPECT/CT).

   Results. Patients of groups 1 and 2 naturally differed from each other in anthropometric indicators. Lipid and carbohydrate metabolism rates were also significantly higher in group 2 patients compared to group 1 patients (p < 0.05). The CRP level in the group of people with hypertension and obesity who underwent COVID-19 was significantly higher than in people with hypertension without obesity (p < 0.001) and than in people with hypertension and obesity without a history of COVID-19. When comparing microcirculation parameters by LDF, there was a decrease in tissue hemoperfusion (M), blood flow reserve (RK) in all three groups (p < 0.001), the most pronounced dysfunction of neurogenic and myogenic blood flow regulation was detected in the group of people with hypertension and
obesity who underwent COVID-19.

   Conclusion. The study of microcirculation indicators by LDF method in persons with hypertension and obesity after suffering a coronavirus infection indicates the predominance of the spastic type of microcirculation, which, together with an increase in the levels of inflammatory markers, indicates a higher risk of thrombosis and cardiovascular complications, requiring more careful monitoring and treatment of this group of patients.

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