Lapeña-Motilva José, Fouz-Ruiz Daniel, Ruiz-Ortiz Mariano, Sanpedro-Murillo Eduardo, Gómez-Enjuto Sara, Hernando-Jimenez Inés, Frias-González Aida, Suso Andrea Soledad, Merida-Herrero Evangelina, Benito-León Julián
Department of Neurology, 12 de Octubre University Hospital, Av. de Córdoba, s/n, 28041 Madrid, Spain.
Department of Neurology, Severo Ochoa University Hospital, Av. de Orellana, s/n, 28914 Leganés, Spain.
Kidney Dial. 2025;5(2). doi: 10.3390/kidneydial5020012. Epub 2025 Apr 3.
BACKGROUND: We observed a COVID-19 survivor with a ventriculoperitoneal shunt who developed increased intracranial pressure during hemodialysis. We hypothesized that post-SARS-CoV-2 infection, patients may have altered cerebral perfusion pressure regulation in response to intracranial pressure changes. METHODS: From April to July 2021, we recruited dialysis patients with prior COVID-19 from two Madrid nephrology departments. We also recruited age- and sex-matched dialysis patients without prior SARS-CoV-2 infection. Transcranial Doppler ultrasound was used to measure the middle cerebral artery velocity before dialysis and 30, 60, and 90 min after the initiation of dialysis. RESULTS: The final sample included 37 patients (16 post-COVID-19 and 21 without). The COVID-19 survivors showed a significant pulsatility index increase between 30 and 60 min compared to those without COVID-19. They also had lower heart rates. CONCLUSIONS: We propose two mechanisms: an increase in intracranial pressure or a decreased arterial elasticity. A lower heart rate was also observed in the COVID-19 survivors. This study highlights SARS-CoV-2's multifaceted effects, including potential long-term vascular and cerebral repercussions.
Neurologia (Engl Ed). 2023
J Neuroinflammation. 2022-9-7
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