Preliminary evidences suggested that patients with SARS-Cov-2 infection and concomitant
presence of cardiovascular risk factors (i.e. arterial hypertension) and/or cardiovascular
history (i.e. prior myocardial infarction) are at poor prognosis. The first reports from
China suggested in patients with SARS-Cov-2 infection a heightened inflammatory burden
associated with significant changes in coagulative status (i.e. low platelet count, increased
D-dimer) and dysfunction of micro-vessels in pulmonary circulation.

No data are available about patterns and changes in platelet reactivity, activation of
coagulation factors and endothelial function during SARS-Cov-2 infection.

The present study is ideated to fill this gap. Patients with moderate to severe respiratory
failure due to SARS-Cov-2 infection will be enrolled. One blood sample will be obtained from
each patient at the early, mid and late stage of disease. Several markers of platelet,
coagulation and endothelial function will be related with laboratory, clinical,
electrocardiographic, imaging (transthoracic echocardiogram, pulmonary ultrasonography,
computed tomography) and outcome data.

To better describe typical patterns of disease regarding inflammation, platelet function and
coagulation alteration, data from cases will be compared with control groups negative for
SARS-CoV-2 infection, but with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction or moderate-severe
respiratory failure due to other agents.