Microvascular Alteration in COVID-19 Documented by Nailfold Capillaroscopy
Lucrezia Mondini, Paola Confalonieri, Riccardo Pozzan, Luca Ruggero, Liliana Trotta, Selene Lerda, Michael Hughes, Mattia Bellan, Marco Confalonieri, Barbara Ruaro, Francesco Salton, Stefano Tavano
Abstract
COVID-19 is a multisystemic disease that mainly affects and causes dysregulation of the endothelium, causing systemic manifestations. A nailfold video capillaroscopy is a safe, easy, and noninvasive method to evaluate microcirculation alteration. In this review, we analyzed the literature available to date regarding the object of nailfold video capillaroscopy (NVC) use in patients with a SARS-CoV-2 infection, both in the acute phase and after discharge. The scientific evidence pointed out the main alterations in capillary circulation shown by NVC, so reviewing the findings of each article allowed us to define and analyze the future prospects and needs for possibly including NVC within the management of patients with COVID-19, both during and after the acute phase.