Endothelial Biomarkers in Critically Ill COVID-19 Patients: Potential Predictors of the Need for Dialysis.

INTRODUCTION

The aim of this was to evaluate the function of vascular biomarkers to predict the need for hemodialysis in critically ill patients with COVID-19.

METHODS

This is a prospective study with 58 critically ill patients due to COVID-19 infection. Laboratory tests in general and vascular biomarkers, such as VCAM-1, syndecan-1, angiopoietin-1, and angiopoietin-2, were quantified on intensive care unit (ICU) admission.

RESULTS

There was a 40% death rate. VCAM and Ang-2/Ang-1 ratio on ICU admission were associated with the need for hemodialysis. Vascular biomarkers (VCAM-1, syndecan-1, angiopoietin-2/angiopoietin-1 ratio) were predictors of death and their cutoff values were useful to stratify patients with a worse prognosis. In the multivariate cox regression analysis with adjusted models, VCAM-1 (OR 1.13 [CI 95%: 1.01-1.27]; p = 0.034) and Ang-2/Ang-1 ratio (OR 4.87 [CI 95%: 1.732-13.719]; p = 0.003) were associated with the need for dialysis.

CONCLUSION

Vascular biomarkers, mostly VCAM-1 and Ang-2/Ang-1 ratio, showed better efficiency to predict the need for hemodialysis in critically ill COVID-19 patients.