Patients with controlled hypertension and history of Covid-19 infection were shown to have impaired cerebral blood flow, manifested by a decrease in the vasomotor reactivity index compared to hypertensive patients without Covid-19 history.
Key Findings
Results
Intimal media complex thickening of the carotid arteries was observed in all patients examined regardless of Covid-19 history.
Thickening was found in 73 (100%) patients across both groups
Intimal media complex measurement was greater than 0.9 mm in the area of maximum visual thickening
All 73 patients had controlled hypertension of the II stage
Assessment was performed using ultrasound duplex scanning of head and neck vessels
Results
The vasomotor reactivity index was significantly lower in hypertensive patients with a history of Covid-19 infection compared to hypertensive controls.
Vasomotor reactivity index in the Covid-19 history group (n=36) was 35.4 with interquartile range (11.0; 49.2)
Vasomotor reactivity index in the control hypertension group was 46.7 with interquartile range (26.8; 76.4)
The difference between groups was statistically significant at p=0.002
Values are reported as median and interquartile range Me (25%; 75%)
Cerebrovascular reserve was studied using the Lelyuk method assessing morphofunctional state of the middle cerebral artery during hypo- and hyperventilation
Conclusions
The study recommends determination of the vasomotor reactivity index when examining main arteries of the head and neck to assess cerebral hemodynamics and guide treatment.
The vasomotor reactivity index should be determined to assess the state of cerebral hemodynamics
The index is recommended for use in developing treatment measures
This recommendation applies specifically to patients with hypertension and Post-Covid conditions
Khaniukov O, Krotova V, Panina S, Soya O, Krotova L. (2026). Changes in Cerebral Hemodynamics in Patients with Hypertension and Post-Covid.. Prague medical report. https://doi.org/10.14712/23362936.2026.4