Determination Of The Vascular Lumen Area Index Of Chorionic Villous Vessels In Covid-19 During Pregnancy

Abstract

The causative agent of the SARS-CoV-2 virus infects cells that express angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). Endothelial activation leads to microcirculatory disturbances, proliferative changes in the vascular wall, fibroblast activation, and arteriolosclerosis. These processes result in malperfusion and the development of placental dysfunction. Structural changes in the vessels of chorionic villi represent compensatory mechanisms that ensure the birth of PCRnegative neonates with high Apgar scores. Identification of quantitative differences in the vessels of stem and intermediate chorionic villi in cases of live birth and antenatal asphyxia prompted us to conduct this study.