Post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC) affects an estimated 65 million people globally, with many experiencing cardiovascular symptoms (CVS) that persist long after the initial infection. The cause of PASC-CVS remains elusive, but growing evidence suggests a link to chronic inflammation.

A recent study investigated the role of chronic inflammation in PASC-CVS and its potential impact on cardiovascular function. Researchers assessed trace-level pro-inflammatory cytokines in individuals with PASC-CVS who reported symptoms such as chest pain and heart palpitations persisting over a year post-infection. Using advanced nanotechnology, the team identified minute levels of cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, IL-12, and MCP-1) in plasma samples collected 18 months after infection—levels often undetectable by conventional assays.

To explore this further, the researchers employed a combination of proteomic and transcriptomic approaches alongside functional assays on primary human cardiomyocytes, utilizing the CardioExcyte 96 system. They demonstrated that these trace cytokine levels reduced cardiomyocyte contractility and altered relaxation dynamics, suggesting a direct link between inflammation and cardiovascular symptoms. Proteomic analysis also revealed elevated levels of complement and coagulation-related proteins in PASC-CVS plasma, supporting the hypothesis of chronic inflammation-driven microclotting in these patients.

These findings provide crucial insights into the mechanisms underlying PASC-CVS and underscore the potential role of chronic inflammation in driving persistent cardiovascular symptoms in COVID-19 survivors. The study’s results suggest that even low levels of inflammatory mediators can have significant physiological effects, potentially explaining the ongoing symptoms experienced by PASC-CVS patients.

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Find the full article here: Post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 cardiovascular symptoms are associated with trace-level cytokines that affect cardiomyocyte function

Learn more about the CardioExcyte 96, a turn-key system for efficient impedance and extracellular field potential measurements: https://www.nanion.de/products/cardioexcyte-96/