Biomarkers of endothelial dysfunction and outcomes in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: Several studies have reported that the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) can directly infect endothelial cells, and endothelial dysfunction is often found in severe cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). To better understand the prognostic values of endothelial dysfunction in COVID-19-associated coagulopathy, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess biomarkers of endothelial cells in patients with COVID-19. METHODS: A literature search was conducted on online databases for observational studies evaluating biomarkers of endothelial dysfunction and composite poor outcomes in COVID-19 patients. RESULTS: A total of 1187 patients from 17 studies were included in this analysis. The estimated pooled means for von Willebrand Factor (VWF) antigen levels in COVID-19 patients was higher compared to healthy control (306.42 [95% confidence interval (CI) 291.37–321.48], p < 0.001; I(2):86%), with the highest VWF antigen levels was found in deceased COVID-19 patients (448.57 [95% CI 407.20–489.93], p < 0.001; I(2):0%). Meta-analysis showed that higher plasma levels of VWF antigen, tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA), plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 antigen (PAI-1) antigen, and soluble thrombomodulin (sTM) were associated with composite poor outcome in COVID-19 patients ([standardized mean difference (SMD) 0.74 [0.33–1.16], p < 0.001; I(2):80.4%], [SMD 0.55 [0.19–0.92], p = 0.003; I(2):6.4%], [SMD 0.33 [0.04–0.62], p = 0.025; I(2):7.9%], and [SMD 0.55 [0.10–0.99], p = 0.015; I(2):23.6%], respectively). CONCLUSION: The estimated pooled means show increased levels of VWF antigen in COVID-19 patients. Several biomarkers of endothelial dysfunction, including VFW antigen, t-PA, PAI-1, and sTM, are significantly associated with increased composite poor outcomes in patients with COVID-19. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER: CRD42021228821