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A Double-Edged Sword-Cardiovascular Concerns of Potential Anti-COVID-19 Drugs
Wen-Liang Yu1,2, Han Siong Toh1,3, Chia-Te Liao4,5
1Department of Intensive Care Medicine, Chi Mei Medical Center, Tainan, Taiwan.
Insights
Potential COVID-19 treatments may pose cardiovascular risks. This review examines the cardiac conduction effects of antiviral and immunomodulatory drugs being investigated for Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) treatment.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by SARS-CoV-2, impacts multiple organ systems, including the cardiovascular system.
- Direct viral injury and the ensuing cytokine storm contribute to significant cardiovascular damage.
- Effective anti-SARS-CoV-2 treatments are crucial for epidemic control.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the potential cardiovascular risks associated with emerging anti-SARS-CoV-2 therapies.
- To specifically examine the impact of these drugs on cardiac conduction.
- To inform clinical decision-making regarding treatment safety.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of candidate anti-SARS-CoV-2 drugs.
- Analysis of studies investigating drug effects on cardiovascular parameters.
- Focus on drugs with antiviral and immunomodulatory mechanisms.
Main Results:
- Candidate drugs, including antivirals and immunomodulators, are under investigation.
- These treatments may present risks to cardiovascular health.
- Alterations in cardiac conduction are a significant concern.
Conclusions:
- Careful consideration of cardiovascular risks is necessary when selecting anti-COVID-19 treatments.
- Further research is needed to fully elucidate the cardiac safety profile of these drugs.
- Balancing therapeutic benefits against potential cardiac adverse effects is paramount.
Abstract:
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a pandemic infection caused by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). COVID-19 significantly affects multiple systems including the cardiovascular system. Most importantly, in addition to the direct injury from the virus per se, the subsequent cytokine storm, an overproduction of immune cells and their activating compounds, causes devastating damage. To date, emerging anti-SARS-CoV-2 treatments are warranted to control epidemics. Several candidate drugs have been screened and are currently under investigation. These primarily include antiviral regimens and immunomodulatory regimens. However, beyond the anti-SARS-CoV-2 effects, these drugs may also have risks to the cardiovascular system, especially altering cardiac conduction. Herein, we review the cardiovascular risks of potential anti-COVID-19 drugs.
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