Cardiac and arrhythmic complications in patients with COVID-19

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Infectious Diseases
• Virology

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by SARS-CoV-2, presents with significant cardiac complications beyond respiratory symptoms.
• Cardiac manifestations in COVID-19 patients are multifactorial, including direct viral damage, hypoxia, and inflammatory responses.
• Cardiac injury markers in COVID-19 are linked to adverse outcomes and increased risk of arrhythmias.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the cardiac and arrhythmic manifestations associated with COVID-19.
• To analyze the potential causes of cardiac complications in COVID-19 patients.
• To compare cardiac effects of COVID-19 with those of previous viral epidemics like SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV, and H1N1 influenza.

Main Methods:

• Literature review focusing on COVID-19 cardiac manifestations.
• Appraisal of existing studies on cardiac complications in viral epidemics.
• Analysis of etiological factors contributing to cardiac injury in COVID-19.

Main Results:

• COVID-19 is associated with diverse cardiac issues, including myocardial damage and arrhythmias.
• Potential contributing factors include viral impact, hypoxia, inflammation, and drug side effects.
• Therapeutic agents for COVID-19 may prolong QT interval, increasing proarrhythmic risk.

Conclusions:

• COVID-19 poses a significant threat to cardiovascular health, necessitating close monitoring.
• Understanding the multifactorial etiology of cardiac complications is crucial for patient management.
• Comparative analysis with past epidemics highlights the ongoing challenge of viral-induced cardiac injury.