Endothelial glycocalyx damage in patients with severe COVID-19 on mechanical ventilation - A prospective observational pilot study.

Background: Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) associated endotheliopathy and microvascular dysfunction are of concern.

Objective: The objective of the present single-center observational pilot study was to compare endothelial glycocalyx (EG) damage and endotheliopathy in patients with severe COVID-19 (COVID-19 group) with patients with bacterial pneumonia with septic shock (non-COVID group).

Methods: Biomarkers of EG damage (syndecan-1), endothelial cells (EC) damage (thrombomodulin), and activation (P-selectin) were measured in blood on three consecutive days from admission to the intensive care unit (ICU).