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Luchian ML, Higny J, Benoit M, Robaye B, Berners Y, Henry JP, Colle B, Xhaët O, Blommaert D, Droogmans S, Motoc AI, Cosyns B, Gabriel L, Guedes A, Demeure F. Unmasking Pandemic Echoes: An In-Depth Review of Long COVID's Unabated Cardiovascular Consequences beyond 2020. Diagnostics (Basel) 2023; 13:3368. [PMID: 37958264 PMCID: PMC10647305 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics13213368] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2023] [Revised: 10/23/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023] Open
Abstract
At the beginning of 2020, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) emerged as a new pandemic, leading to a worldwide health crisis and overwhelming healthcare systems due to high numbers of hospital admissions, insufficient resources, and a lack of standardized therapeutic protocols. Multiple genetic variants of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) have been detected since its first public declaration in 2020, some of them being considered variants of concern (VOCs) corresponding to several pandemic waves. Nevertheless, a growing number of COVID-19 patients are continuously discharged from hospitals, remaining symptomatic even months after their first episode of COVID-19 infection. Long COVID-19 or 'post-acute COVID-19 syndrome' emerged as the new pandemic, being characterized by a high variability of clinical manifestations ranging from cardiorespiratory and neurological symptoms such as chest pain, exertional dyspnoea or cognitive disturbance to psychological disturbances, e.g., depression, anxiety or sleep disturbance with a crucial impact on patients' quality of life. Moreover, Long COVID is viewed as a new cardiovascular risk factor capable of modifying the trajectory of current and future cardiovascular diseases, altering the patients' prognosis. Therefore, in this review we address the current definitions of Long COVID and its pathophysiology, with a focus on cardiovascular manifestations. Furthermore, we aim to review the mechanisms of acute and chronic cardiac injury and the variety of cardiovascular sequelae observed in recovered COVID-19 patients, in addition to the potential role of Long COVID clinics in the medical management of this new condition. We will further address the role of future research for a better understanding of the actual impact of Long COVID and future therapeutic directions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria-Luiza Luchian
- Department of Cardiology, Université Catholique de Louvain, CHU UCL Namur Site Godinne, Av. Dr. G. Thérasse, 1, 5530 Yvoir, Belgium (A.G.); (F.D.)
| | - Julien Higny
- Department of Cardiology, Université Catholique de Louvain, CHU UCL Namur Site Godinne, Av. Dr. G. Thérasse, 1, 5530 Yvoir, Belgium (A.G.); (F.D.)
| | - Martin Benoit
- Department of Cardiology, Université Catholique de Louvain, CHU UCL Namur Site Godinne, Av. Dr. G. Thérasse, 1, 5530 Yvoir, Belgium (A.G.); (F.D.)
| | - Benoit Robaye
- Department of Cardiology, Université Catholique de Louvain, CHU UCL Namur Site Godinne, Av. Dr. G. Thérasse, 1, 5530 Yvoir, Belgium (A.G.); (F.D.)
| | - Yannick Berners
- Department of Cardiology, Université Catholique de Louvain, CHU UCL Namur Site Godinne, Av. Dr. G. Thérasse, 1, 5530 Yvoir, Belgium (A.G.); (F.D.)
| | - Jean-Philippe Henry
- Department of Cardiology, Université Catholique de Louvain, CHU UCL Namur Site Godinne, Av. Dr. G. Thérasse, 1, 5530 Yvoir, Belgium (A.G.); (F.D.)
| | - Benjamin Colle
- Department of Cardiology, Université Catholique de Louvain, CHU UCL Namur Site Godinne, Av. Dr. G. Thérasse, 1, 5530 Yvoir, Belgium (A.G.); (F.D.)
| | - Olivier Xhaët
- Department of Cardiology, Université Catholique de Louvain, CHU UCL Namur Site Godinne, Av. Dr. G. Thérasse, 1, 5530 Yvoir, Belgium (A.G.); (F.D.)
| | - Dominique Blommaert
- Department of Cardiology, Université Catholique de Louvain, CHU UCL Namur Site Godinne, Av. Dr. G. Thérasse, 1, 5530 Yvoir, Belgium (A.G.); (F.D.)
| | - Steven Droogmans
- Department of Cardiology, Centrum voor Hart-en Vaatziekten, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Laarbeeklaan 101, 1090 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Andreea Iulia Motoc
- Department of Cardiology, Centrum voor Hart-en Vaatziekten, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Laarbeeklaan 101, 1090 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Bernard Cosyns
- Department of Cardiology, Centrum voor Hart-en Vaatziekten, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Laarbeeklaan 101, 1090 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Laurence Gabriel
- Department of Cardiology, Université Catholique de Louvain, CHU UCL Namur Site Godinne, Av. Dr. G. Thérasse, 1, 5530 Yvoir, Belgium (A.G.); (F.D.)
| | - Antoine Guedes
- Department of Cardiology, Université Catholique de Louvain, CHU UCL Namur Site Godinne, Av. Dr. G. Thérasse, 1, 5530 Yvoir, Belgium (A.G.); (F.D.)
| | - Fabian Demeure
- Department of Cardiology, Université Catholique de Louvain, CHU UCL Namur Site Godinne, Av. Dr. G. Thérasse, 1, 5530 Yvoir, Belgium (A.G.); (F.D.)
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Nunes JM, Kell DB, Pretorius E. Cardiovascular and haematological pathology in myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS): A role for viruses. Blood Rev 2023; 60:101075. [PMID: 36963989 PMCID: PMC10027292 DOI: 10.1016/j.blre.2023.101075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2023] [Revised: 03/15/2023] [Accepted: 03/16/2023] [Indexed: 03/25/2023]
Abstract
ME/CFS is a debilitating chronic condition that often develops after viral or bacterial infection. Insight from the study of Long COVID/Post Acute Sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC), the post-viral syndrome associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection, might prove to be useful for understanding pathophysiological mechanisms of ME/CFS. Disease presentation is similar between the two conditions, and a subset of Long COVID patients meet the diagnostic criteria for ME/CFS. Since Long COVID is characterized by significant vascular pathology - including endothelial dysfunction, coagulopathy, and vascular dysregulation - the question of whether or not the same biological abnormalities are of significance in ME/CFS arises. Cardiac abnormalities have for a while now been documented in ME/CFS cohorts, with recent studies demonstrating major deficits in cerebral blood flow, and hence vascular dysregulation. A growing body of research is demonstrating that ME/CFS is accompanied by platelet hyperactivation, anomalous clotting, a procoagulant phenotype, and endothelial dysfunction. Endothelial damage and dysregulated clotting can impair substance exchange between blood and tissues, and result in hypoperfusion, which may contribute to the manifestation of certain ME/CFS symptoms. Here we review the ME/CFS literature to summarize cardiovascular and haematological findings documented in patients with the condition, and, in this context, briefly discuss the potential role of previously-implicated pathogens. Overall, cardiac and haematological abnormalities are present within ME/CFS cohorts. While atherosclerotic heart disease is not significantly associated with ME/CFS, suboptimal cardiovascular function defined by reduced cardiac output, impaired cerebral blood flow, and vascular dysregulation are, and these abnormalities do not appear to be influenced by deconditioning. Rather, these cardiac abnormalities may result from dysfunction in the (autonomic) nervous system. Plenty of recently published studies are demonstrating significant platelet hyperactivity and endothelial dysfunction in ME/CFS, as well as anomalous clotting processes. It is of particular importance to determine to what extent these cardiovascular and haematological abnormalities contribute to symptom severity, and if these two systems can be targeted for therapeutic purposes. Viral reservoirs of herpesviruses exist in ME/CFS, and most likely contribute to cardiovascular and haematological dysfunction directly or indirectly. This review highlights the potential of studying cardiac functioning, the vasculature, and coagulation system in ME/CFS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean M Nunes
- Department of Physiological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, Private Bag X1, Matieland 7602, South Africa.
| | - Douglas B Kell
- Department of Physiological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, Private Bag X1, Matieland 7602, South Africa; Department of Biochemistry and Systems Biology, Institute of Systems, Molecular and Integrative Biology, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, University of Liverpool, Crown St, Liverpool L69 7ZB, UK; The Novo Nordisk Foundation Centre for Biosustainability, Building 220, Chemitorvet 200, Technical University of Denmark, 2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark.
| | - Etheresia Pretorius
- Department of Physiological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, Private Bag X1, Matieland 7602, South Africa; Department of Biochemistry and Systems Biology, Institute of Systems, Molecular and Integrative Biology, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, University of Liverpool, Crown St, Liverpool L69 7ZB, UK.
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Astin R, Banerjee A, Baker MR, Dani M, Ford E, Hull JH, Lim PB, McNarry M, Morten K, O'Sullivan O, Pretorius E, Raman B, Soteropoulos DS, Taquet M, Hall CN. Long COVID: mechanisms, risk factors and recovery. Exp Physiol 2023; 108:12-27. [PMID: 36412084 PMCID: PMC10103775 DOI: 10.1113/ep090802] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 58.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2022] [Accepted: 10/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
NEW FINDINGS What is the topic of this review? The emerging condition of long COVID, its epidemiology, pathophysiological impacts on patients of different backgrounds, physiological mechanisms emerging as explanations of the condition, and treatment strategies being trialled. The review leads from a Physiological Society online conference on this topic. What advances does it highlight? Progress in understanding the pathophysiology and cellular mechanisms underlying Long COVID and potential therapeutic and management strategies. ABSTRACT Long COVID, the prolonged illness and fatigue suffered by a small proportion of those infected with SARS-CoV-2, is placing an increasing burden on individuals and society. A Physiological Society virtual meeting in February 2022 brought clinicians and researchers together to discuss the current understanding of long COVID mechanisms, risk factors and recovery. This review highlights the themes arising from that meeting. It considers the nature of long COVID, exploring its links with other post-viral illnesses such as myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome, and highlights how long COVID research can help us better support those suffering from all post-viral syndromes. Long COVID research started particularly swiftly in populations routinely monitoring their physical performance - namely the military and elite athletes. The review highlights how the high degree of diagnosis, intervention and monitoring of success in these active populations can suggest management strategies for the wider population. We then consider how a key component of performance monitoring in active populations, cardiopulmonary exercise training, has revealed long COVID-related changes in physiology - including alterations in peripheral muscle function, ventilatory inefficiency and autonomic dysfunction. The nature and impact of dysautonomia are further discussed in relation to postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome, fatigue and treatment strategies that aim to combat sympathetic overactivation by stimulating the vagus nerve. We then interrogate the mechanisms that underlie long COVID symptoms, with a focus on impaired oxygen delivery due to micro-clotting and disruption of cellular energy metabolism, before considering treatment strategies that indirectly or directly tackle these mechanisms. These include remote inspiratory muscle training and integrated care pathways that combine rehabilitation and drug interventions with research into long COVID healthcare access across different populations. Overall, this review showcases how physiological research reveals the changes that occur in long COVID and how different therapeutic strategies are being developed and tested to combat this condition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rónan Astin
- Department of Respiratory MedicineUniversity College London Hospitals NHS Foundation TrustLondonUK
- Centre for Human Health and PerformanceInstitute for Sport Exercise and HealthUniversity College LondonLondonUK
| | - Amitava Banerjee
- Institute of Health InformaticsUniversity College LondonLondonUK
- Department of CardiologyBarts Health NHS TrustLondonUK
| | - Mark R. Baker
- Faculty of Medical SciencesNewcastle UniversityNewcastle upon TyneUK
| | - Melanie Dani
- Imperial Syncope UnitImperial College Healthcare NHS TrustLondonUK
| | | | - James H. Hull
- Institute of SportExercise and Health (ISEH)Division of Surgery and Interventional ScienceUniversity College LondonLondonUK
- Royal Brompton HospitalLondonUK
| | - Phang Boon Lim
- Imperial Syncope UnitImperial College Healthcare NHS TrustLondonUK
| | - Melitta McNarry
- Applied Sports, Technology, Exercise and Medicine Research CentreSwansea UniversitySwanseaUK
| | - Karl Morten
- Applied Sports, Technology, Exercise and Medicine Research CentreSwansea UniversitySwanseaUK
- Nuffield Department of Women's and Reproductive HealthUniversity of OxfordOxfordUK
| | - Oliver O'Sullivan
- Academic Department of Military RehabilitationDefence Medical Rehabilitation Centre Stanford HallLoughboroughUK
- School of MedicineUniversity of NottinghamNottinghamUK
| | - Etheresia Pretorius
- Department of Physiological SciencesFaculty of ScienceStellenbosch UniversityStellenboschSouth Africa
- Department of Biochemistry and Systems BiologyInstitute of SystemsMolecular and Integrative BiologyFaculty of Health and Life SciencesUniversity of LiverpoolLiverpoolUK
| | - Betty Raman
- Radcliffe Department of MedicineDivision of Cardiovascular MedicineUniversity of OxfordOxfordUK
- Radcliffe Department of MedicineDivision of Cardiovascular MedicineOxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation TrustOxfordUK
| | | | - Maxime Taquet
- Department of PsychiatryUniversity of OxfordOxfordUK
- Oxford Health NHS Foundation TrustOxfordUK
| | - Catherine N. Hall
- School of Psychology and Sussex NeuroscienceUniversity of SussexFalmerUK
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Corriero A, Ribezzi M, Mele F, Angrisani C, Romaniello F, Daleno A, Loconsole D, Centrone F, Chironna M, Brienza N. COVID-19 Variants in Critically Ill Patients: A Comparison of the Delta and Omicron Variant Profiles. Infect Dis Rep 2022; 14:492-500. [PMID: 35735762 PMCID: PMC9222818 DOI: 10.3390/idr14030052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2022] [Revised: 06/14/2022] [Accepted: 06/15/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Coronavirus disease is a pandemic that has disrupted many human lives, threatening people's physical and mental health. Each pandemic wave struck in different ways, infectiveness-wise and mortality-wise. This investigation focuses on critically ill patients affected by the last two variants, Delta and Omicron, and aims to analyse if any difference exists between the two groups. METHODS intensive care unit (ICU) COVID-19 consecutive admissions between 1 October 2021 and 31 March 2022 were recorded daily, and data concerning the patients' demographics, variants, main comorbidities, ICU parameters on admission, and the outcome were analysed by a univariate procedure and by a multivariate analysis. RESULTS 65 patients were enrolled, 31 (47.69%) belonging to the Omicron versus 34 (52.31%) to the Delta group. The mortality rate was 52.94% for the Omicron group versus 41.9% for the Delta group. A univariate analysis showed that the Omicron variant was associated with total comorbidities number, Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI), pre-existing pulmonary disease, vaccination status, and acute kidney injury (AKI). In stepwise multivariate analysis, the total number of comorbidities was positively associated with the Omicron group, while pulmonary embolism was negatively correlated with the Omicron group. CONCLUSION Omicron appears to have lost some of the hallmarks of the Delta variant, such as endothelialitis and more limited cellular tropism when it comes to the patients in the ICU. Further studies are encouraged to explore different therapeutic approaches to treat critical patients with COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alberto Corriero
- Unit of Anesthesia and Resuscitation, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Piazza G. Cesare 11, 70124 Bari, Italy
- Correspondence: (A.C.); (N.B.)
| | - Mario Ribezzi
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine—Intensive Care Unit Section, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Piazza G. Cesare 11, 70124 Bari, Italy;
| | - Federica Mele
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine—Section of Legal Medicine, Policlinico di Bari Hospital, University of Bari, 70124 Bari, Italy; (F.M.); (C.A.)
| | - Carmelinda Angrisani
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine—Section of Legal Medicine, Policlinico di Bari Hospital, University of Bari, 70124 Bari, Italy; (F.M.); (C.A.)
| | - Fabio Romaniello
- Department of Biomedical Science and Human Oncology, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Piazza G. Cesare 11, 70124 Bari, Italy;
| | - Antonio Daleno
- Hospital Direction, Azienda Universitaria Ospedaliera Consorziale Policlinico Bari, Piazza G. Cesare 11, 70124 Bari, Italy;
| | - Daniela Loconsole
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine—Hygiene Section, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Piazza G. Cesare 11, 70124 Bari, Italy; (D.L.); (F.C.); (M.C.)
| | - Francesca Centrone
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine—Hygiene Section, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Piazza G. Cesare 11, 70124 Bari, Italy; (D.L.); (F.C.); (M.C.)
| | - Maria Chironna
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine—Hygiene Section, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Piazza G. Cesare 11, 70124 Bari, Italy; (D.L.); (F.C.); (M.C.)
| | - Nicola Brienza
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine—Intensive Care Unit Section, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Piazza G. Cesare 11, 70124 Bari, Italy;
- Correspondence: (A.C.); (N.B.)
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Raman B, Bluemke DA, Lüscher TF, Neubauer S. Long COVID: post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 with a cardiovascular focus. Eur Heart J 2022; 43:1157-1172. [PMID: 35176758 PMCID: PMC8903393 DOI: 10.1093/eurheartj/ehac031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 257] [Impact Index Per Article: 128.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2021] [Revised: 12/20/2021] [Accepted: 01/17/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Emerging as a new epidemic, long COVID or post-acute sequelae of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), a condition characterized by the persistence of COVID-19 symptoms beyond 3 months, is anticipated to substantially alter the lives of millions of people globally. Cardiopulmonary symptoms including chest pain, shortness of breath, fatigue, and autonomic manifestations such as postural orthostatic tachycardia are common and associated with significant disability, heightened anxiety, and public awareness. A range of cardiovascular (CV) abnormalities has been reported among patients beyond the acute phase and include myocardial inflammation, myocardial infarction, right ventricular dysfunction, and arrhythmias. Pathophysiological mechanisms for delayed complications are still poorly understood, with a dissociation seen between ongoing symptoms and objective measures of cardiopulmonary health. COVID-19 is anticipated to alter the long-term trajectory of many chronic cardiac diseases which are abundant in those at risk of severe disease. In this review, we discuss the definition of long COVID and its epidemiology, with an emphasis on cardiopulmonary symptoms. We further review the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying acute and chronic CV injury, the range of post-acute CV sequelae, and impact of COVID-19 on multiorgan health. We propose a possible model for referral of post-COVID-19 patients to cardiac services and discuss future directions including research priorities and clinical trials that are currently underway to evaluate the efficacy of treatment strategies for long COVID and associated CV sequelae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Betty Raman
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, Oxford Centre for Clinical Magnetic Resonance Research, University of Oxford, National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Oxford Biomedical Research Centre (BRC), Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, John Radcliffe Hospital, Headley Way, Oxford OX3 9DU, UK
| | - David A. Bluemke
- Department of Radiology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, 3252 Clinical Science Center, 600 Highland Ave, Madison, WI 53792, USA
- Department of Medical Physics, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, 3252 Clinical Science Center, 600 Highland Ave, Madison, WI 53792, USA
| | - Thomas F. Lüscher
- Royal Brompton & Harefield Hospitals and National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College, London, UK
- Center for Molecular Cardiology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Stefan Neubauer
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, Oxford Centre for Clinical Magnetic Resonance Research, University of Oxford, National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Oxford Biomedical Research Centre (BRC), Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, John Radcliffe Hospital, Headley Way, Oxford OX3 9DU, UK
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Platelets in COVID-19 disease: friend, foe, or both? Pharmacol Rep 2022; 74:1182-1197. [PMID: 36463349 PMCID: PMC9726679 DOI: 10.1007/s43440-022-00438-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2022] [Revised: 11/16/2022] [Accepted: 11/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/07/2022]
Abstract
Immuno-thrombosis of COVID-19 results in the activation of platelets and coagulopathy. Antiplatelet therapy has been widely used in COVID-19 patients to prevent thrombotic events. However, recent analysis of clinical trials does not support the major effects of antiplatelet therapy on mortality in hospitalized COVID-19 patients, despite the indisputable evidence for an increased risk of thrombotic complications in COVID-19 disease. This apparent paradox calls for an explanation. Platelets have an important role in sensing and orchestrating host response to infection, and several platelet functions related to host defense response not directly related to their well-known hemostatic function are emerging. In this paper, we aim to review the evidence supporting the notion that platelets have protective properties in maintaining endothelial barrier integrity in the course of an inflammatory response, and this role seems to be of particular importance in the lung. It might, thus, well be that the inhibition of platelet function, if affecting the protective aspect of platelet activity, might diminish clinical benefits resulting from the inhibition of the pro-thrombotic phenotype of platelets in immuno-thrombosis of COVID-19. A better understanding of the platelet-dependent mechanisms involved in the preservation of the endothelial barrier is necessary to design the antiplatelet therapeutic strategies that inhibit the pro-thrombotic activity of platelets without effects on the vaso-protective function of platelets safeguarding the pulmonary endothelial barrier during multicellular host defense in pulmonary circulation.
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