Investigation of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in Atherosclerotic Plaques

This original research article investigates the presence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in atherosclerotic plaques among patients with a history of COVID-19 who are scheduled for surgery due to peripheral artery disease. The study involved 40 patients who underwent surgical procedures, with tissue samples taken from both aortic and endothelial tissue for analysis. Using multiplex RT-qPCR, the laboratory diagnosis aimed to determine the presence of the SARS-CoV-2 RNA genome targeting specific genes. The demographic data of the patients are detailed, including gender and age distributions. Importantly, all samples tested negative for SARS-CoV-2 RNA across both groups. The study is conducted under the approval of the Ethics Committee of Namık Kemal University and aims to provide preliminary insights into the relationship between COVID-19 and atherosclerosis, offering a basis for future investigations on this topic.