COVID-19 hemodynamic and thrombotic effect on the eye microcirculation after hospitalization
What is it about?
In order to assess potential pharmacological benefits in the treatment of COVID-19 more quantitative data are needed from the human microcirculation in vivo. In this context, the purpose of this work was to use Conjunctival Video Capillaroscopy (CVC) to quantify microvascular hemodynamics and thrombosis, in the eyes of COVID-19 survivors receiving thromboprophylaxis.
Why is it important?
It was quantified for the first time, the statistically significant (and with more than 80% power) reduction of axial blood velocity, and the great increase in microthrombosis, at the capillaries and postcapillary venules of COVID-19 survivors despite thromboprophylaxis treatment. The above results are important because they give a quantitative measure of the devastating effect of COVID-19 on human microcirculation in vivo. In addition, a possible explanation for long COVID is postulated and a hint about the existence of a possibly unknown coagulation factor is given.