An estimated 65 million people globally suffer from post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC), with many experiencing cardiovascular symptoms (PASC-CVS) like chest pain and heart palpitations. This study examines the role of chronic inflammation in PASC-CVS, particularly in individuals with symptoms persisting over a year after infection. Blood samples from three groups—recovered individuals, those with prolonged PASC-CVS and SARS-CoV-2-negative individuals—revealed that those with PASC-CVS had a blood signature linked to inflammation. Trace-level pro-inflammatory cytokines were detected in the plasma from donors with PASC-CVS 18 months post infection using nanotechnology. Importantly, these trace-level cytokines affected the function of primary human cardiomyocytes. Plasma proteomics also demonstrated higher levels of complement and coagulation proteins in the plasma from patients with PASC-CVS. This study highlights chronic inflammation’s role in the symptoms of PASC-CVS.

据估计，全球有 6500 万人患有 COVID-19 急性后遗症 （PASC），其中许多人出现胸痛和心悸等心血管症状 （PASC-CVS）。本研究检查了慢性炎症在 PASC-CVS 中的作用，特别是在感染后症状持续一年以上的个体中。来自三组（康复个体、PASC-CVS 持续时间延长的个体和 SARS-CoV-2 阴性个体）的血液样本显示，PASC-CVS 患者具有与炎症相关的血液特征。使用纳米技术在感染后 18 个月在 PASC-CVS 供体的血浆中检测到痕量水平的促炎细胞因子。重要的是，这些痕量水平的细胞因子影响了原代人类心肌细胞的功能。血浆蛋白质组学还显示 PASC-CVS 患者血浆中更高水平的补体蛋白和凝血蛋白。本研究强调了慢性炎症在 PASC-CVS 症状中的作用。