Morphological Features of Foot Vascular Angiopathy in Diabetes Mellitus Associated with Post-Covid-19 Complications

Abstract

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) may aggravate vascular damage in patients with diabetes mellitus. This process is especially pronounced in the blood vessels of the foot, where impaired microcirculation, endothelial injury, and tissue ischemia contribute to the progression of diabetic angiopathy. The present study analyzed the morphological changes in the foot blood vessels of patients with diabetes mellitus following COVID-19. Particular attention was paid to vascular wall thickening, endothelial damage, microthrombus formation, perivascular edema, and signs of diabetic microangiopathy. The findings indicate that COVID-19 accelerates vascular injury and aggravates the course of diabetic angiopathy. Early identification of these morphological changes may improve the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of diabetic foot complications and reduce the risk of severe outcomes.