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Lambadiari V, Korakas E, Oikonomou E, Bletsa E, Kountouri A, Goliopoulou A, Ikonomidis I, Siasos G. COVID-19, Endothelium and the Cardiometabolic Patient: A Possible Role for Capillary Leak Syndrome. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10102379. [PMID: 36289641 PMCID: PMC9598505 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10102379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2022] [Revised: 09/14/2022] [Accepted: 09/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Capillary leak syndrome is an under-diagnosed condition leading to serious hypoalbuminemia with diffuse edema, pulmonary edema, severe hypotension, and possibly death. Sepsis leading to hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a major risk factor; however, capillary hyper-permeability is the core underlying pathophysiological mechanism. Endothelial dysfunction plays a major role in cardiometabolic disease through insulin resistance, lipotoxicity, and, eventually, oxidative stress and chronic inflammation. We review the literature concerning the aforementioned mechanisms as well-established risk factors for adverse COVID-19 outcomes. We especially focus on data regarding the underlying endothelial effects of SARS-CoV-2 infection, including direct damage and increased vascular leakage through a hyper-inflammatory cascade and diminished nitric oxide bioavailability. Interestingly, an increased incidence of hypoalbuminemia has been observed in patients with severe COVID-19, especially those with underlying cardiometabolic disease. Importantly, low albumin levels present a strong, positive association with poor disease outcomes. Therefore, in this review article, we highlight the important role of cardiovascular risk factors on endothelium integrity and the possible link of endothelial damage in the hypoalbuminemia-associated adverse prognosis of COVID-19 patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vaia Lambadiari
- 2nd Department of Internal Medicine, Attikon University Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Medical School, 12462 Athens, Greece
| | - Emmanouil Korakas
- 2nd Department of Internal Medicine, Attikon University Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Medical School, 12462 Athens, Greece
| | - Evangelos Oikonomou
- 3rd Department of Cardiology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Medical School, Sotiria Chest Disease Hospital, 11527 Athens, Greece
- Cardiometabolic Disease Unit, 3rd Department of Cardiology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Medical School, Sotiria Chest Disease Hospital, 11527 Athens, Greece
- Correspondence:
| | - Evanthia Bletsa
- 3rd Department of Cardiology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Medical School, Sotiria Chest Disease Hospital, 11527 Athens, Greece
- Cardiometabolic Disease Unit, 3rd Department of Cardiology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Medical School, Sotiria Chest Disease Hospital, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Aikaterini Kountouri
- 2nd Department of Internal Medicine, Attikon University Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Medical School, 12462 Athens, Greece
| | - Athina Goliopoulou
- 3rd Department of Cardiology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Medical School, Sotiria Chest Disease Hospital, 11527 Athens, Greece
- Cardiometabolic Disease Unit, 3rd Department of Cardiology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Medical School, Sotiria Chest Disease Hospital, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Ignatios Ikonomidis
- Laboratory of Preventive Cardiology, Second Cardiology Department, Attikon University Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Medical School, 12462 Athens, Greece
| | - Gerasimos Siasos
- 3rd Department of Cardiology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Medical School, Sotiria Chest Disease Hospital, 11527 Athens, Greece
- Cardiometabolic Disease Unit, 3rd Department of Cardiology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Medical School, Sotiria Chest Disease Hospital, 11527 Athens, Greece
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