Pulmonary vascular proliferation in patients with severe COVID-19: an autopsy study

Link to article at PubMed

Thorax. 2021 Mar 23:thoraxjnl-2020-216714. doi: 10.1136/thoraxjnl-2020-216714. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Diffuse alveolar damage and thrombi are the most common lung histopathological lesions reported in patients with severe COVID-19. Although some studies have suggested increased pulmonary angiogenesis, the presence of vascular proliferation in COVID-19 lungs has not been well characterised. Glomeruloid-like microscopic foci and/or coalescent vascular proliferations measuring up to 2 cm were present in the lung of 14 out of 16 autopsied patients. These lesions expressed CD31, CD34 and vascular endothelial cadherin. Platelet-derived growth factor receptor-β immunohistochemistry and dual immunostaining for CD34/smooth muscle actin demonstrated the presence of pericytes. These vascular alterations may contribute to the severe and refractory hypoxaemia that is common in patients with severe COVID-19.

PMID:33758071 | DOI:10.1136/thoraxjnl-2020-216714

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