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COVID-19 and the Heart
Akbarshakh Akhmerov1, Eduardo Marbán1
1From the Smidt Heart Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA.
Insights
Severe COVID-19 causes systemic illness with hyperinflammation and cardiac injury. This review covers COVID-19 pathophysiology, cardiovascular effects, and potential treatments as of April 2020.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Pathophysiology
Background:
- Severe acute respiratory syndrome novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) causes COVID-19.
- Severe COVID-19 presents as a systemic illness with hyperinflammation and cytokine storm.
- Cardiac injury biomarkers are often elevated in severe COVID-19 cases.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the pathophysiology of COVID-19.
- To examine the cardiovascular manifestations of COVID-19.
- To discuss emerging therapeutic strategies for COVID-19.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of COVID-19 research.
- Analysis of pathophysiological mechanisms.
- Synthesis of clinical findings on cardiovascular impact.
- Compilation of therapeutic prospects.
Main Results:
- COVID-19 pathophysiology involves hyperinflammation and cytokine storm.
- Significant cardiovascular manifestations are observed in severe COVID-19.
- Emerging therapies are being investigated for COVID-19 treatment.
Conclusions:
- Understanding COVID-19 pathophysiology is crucial for managing severe cases.
- Cardiovascular complications are a key concern in COVID-19.
- Ongoing research is vital for developing effective COVID-19 therapeutics.
Abstract:
Infection with the severe acute respiratory syndrome novel coronavirus produces a clinical syndrome known as 2019 novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19). When severe, COVID-19 is a systemic illness characterized by hyperinflammation, cytokine storm, and elevations of cardiac injury biomarkers. Here, we review what is known about the pathophysiology of COVID-19, its cardiovascular manifestations, and emerging therapeutic prospects. In this rapidly moving field, this review was comprehensive as of April 3, 2020.
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