Background: The coronavirus–caused disease (COVID-19), first identified in China in December 2019, has spread worldwide becoming a global pandemic. Although people infected with the SARS-CoV-2 virus presented mainly respiratory and gastrointestinal symptoms, an increase in cardiovascular incidents was observed in several scientific studies. SARS-CoV-2 virus has been shown to disrupt the normal immune response leading to a dysregulation of immune system function and massive production of inflammatory cytokines commonly known as “cytokine storm”. Methods: 57 patients eventually participated in the study, assigned to non–COVID (24 patients) and COVID (33 patients) groups. After signing consent to participate in the study, each patient was given a self–administered questionnaire to fill out prior to specimen collection, anthropometric measurements were taken and venous blood was collected for the following determinations: pro- and anti–inflammatory cytokines using a Bio–Plex 200 system, oxidative stress markers and basic hematological blood parameters. Results: showed statistically significant higher values of IL–1Ra and IL–1β in the COVID-19 group. Of the oxidative stress markers, only MDA levels were higher in the COVID-19 group. Conclusions: the results of our study provide evidence and support the occurrence of elevated levels of IL–1Ra, IL–1β and MDA in the COVID-19 group of patients, which are associated with a worse course and prognosis of COVID-19. A better understanding of the pathophysiology and dysregulation of the immune system associated with the cytokine storm is essential to select patients at risk and develop effective drugs and vaccines.

The pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has posed a major health challenge for over 2 years. The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) that causes it belongs to single-stranded ribonucleic acid viruses and causes acute respiratory distress syndrome. The initial outbreak was discovered in December 2019 in Wuhan province, where SARS-CoV-2 quickly spread to other countries. In addition to respiratory disorders, it has been shown that during and after COVID-19 infection, cardiovascular diseases are often developed or exacerbated, such as: arterial hypertension, coronary artery disease, arrhythmias, heart failure and thromboembolic complications. In view of the higher prevalence of atherosclerosis in patients with COVID-19, we described the pathomechanisms of the development of this infection and the possible correlations between SARS-CoV-2 infection and thromboembolic complications. We focused on the role of the inflammatory response, renin-angiotensin system and endothelial dysfunction in the development of atherosclerosis in patients with COVID-19. A thorough understanding of the hemodynamic mechanisms and the impact of the infection on the cardiovascular system will allow for the proper selection of appropriate therapy in patients after SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Introduction: The emergence of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which caused the outbreak of the pandemic declared by the World Health Organization (WHO, World Health Organization) on 11 March 2020, has resulted in the introduction of many restrictions worldwide to contain the rapidly spreading pathogen. A particularly vulnerable professional group are paramedics working in Emergency Medical Teams. Aim: The main aim of this study was to investigate the influence of selected sociodemographic and clinical parameters on anxiety and depression symptoms in paramedics during the COVID-19 pandemic. Materials and methods: The study involved 387 paramedics working in Medical Rescue Teams in Poland. The majority of respondents were male (72.35%). In order to achieve the aim of the study, an online diagnostic survey was conducted using a questionnaire of the author’s own design and standardized questionnaires: Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and General Anxiety Disorders (GAD-7). Results: Significantly higher values were observed for all analysed scales in females compared to males. The main factors influencing the occurrence of anxiety and depression symptoms were gender, seniority at work, family relations, use of sleeping pills. Alcohol consumption increased in this professional group during the pandemic. Conclusions: Females and users of sleep medication who work in the emergency department during a pandemic are more likely to experience symptoms of depression and anxiety. A longer length of service and satisfying relationships with family are factors in reducing these symptoms. Paramedics who are in informal relationships and single manifest more emotional problems compared to those who are married. Increased alcohol consumption can be considered as a way of coping with stress. However, further studies in this professional group are needed to assess the further impact of the pandemic on psychiatric symptoms among emergency medical workers.

Background: The COVID-19 outbreak began in December 2019 in China and quickly spread to other countries. Although most infected individuals experienced mild or moderate symptoms, 17% of patients were reported to have severe cases. Analysis of the available literature confirms the link between severe forms of COVID-19 and cyto-kine storm syndrome. Methods: A total of 57 patients participated in the study, divid-ed into a non-COVID group (24 people) and a COVID group (33 people). Each patient completed a questionnaire designed by the authors, followed by anthropometric measurements and venous blood sampling to determine cytokines, and pro- and an-ti-inflammatory chemokines using the Bio-Plex 200 system. Results: Showed statisti-cally significant higher values of IL-6, IL-13, TNF-α and the chemokines IP-10, MCP-1 (MCAF), MIP-1α, MIP-1β in the COVID-19 group. Conclusions: The results of our study support for the occurrence of elevated levels of IL-6, IL-13, TNF-α and selected chemokines in COVID-19 patients, which are associated with a worse course and prognosis of COVID-19. An in-depth understanding of the pathophysiology and im-mune dysfunction accompanying cyto-kine storm is crucial for identifying patients at increased risk, as well as for developing effective therapies and vaccines.