A recent study conducted by the Hospital del Mar has shed light on one of the enigmatic effects of long COVID: chronic fatigue. Researchers from the departments of Pulmonology, Pathology, and Intensive Care Medicine have identified a possible cause of this persistent exhaustion, pointing to fibrosis in the walls of blood vessels as the main culprit.
Published in the Ultraestructural Pathology journal, the investigation focused on the analysis of quadriceps muscle biopsies from 35 hospitalized patients during the pandemic. Using advanced electron microscopy techniques, a significant fibrosis was detected in the capillary walls, which prevents proper oxygenation of the muscle fibers. This finding is consistent with observations of other organs in patients who died from COVID-19.
The infection by the virus would damage the endothelial cells, essential to the formation of blood vessels, causing a thickening that affects gas exchange. Dr. Joaquim Gea, emeritus head of the Pulmonology Service, noted that this alteration limits the ability to perform prolonged exercise, although patients may be able to handle short activities without problems.
Dr. Joan Ramon Masclans, head of the Intensive Care Unit, stated that this phenomenon is comparable to conditions such as pulmonary fibrosis, suggesting that a similar preventive treatment could be developed.
The research also highlights the potential use of muscle biopsies as a diagnostic tool in affected patients. According to Dr. Josep Lloreta, the study's pathologist, electron microscopy provides a detailed analysis of the observed pathological changes.
As part of the solutions, it is suggested that aerobic exercise could help mitigate the effects of capillary fibrosis, encouraging the formation of new blood vessels. This intervention could not only improve muscle oxygenation, but also offer patients a significant improvement in their quality of life.
The study opens new avenues to understand and treat one of the most debilitating persistent complications of COVID-19, giving hope to those who still deal with its long-term effects.
