Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 17, 2025

Live Imaging and Quantification of Viral Infection in K18 hACE2 Transgenic Mice Using Reporter-Expressing Recombinant SARS-CoV-2
Published on: November 5, 2021
SARS-CoV-2 Infection and Cardiovascular Disease: COVID-19 Heart
Bishnu P Dhakal1, Nancy K Sweitzer1, Julia H Indik1
1Sarver Heart Center, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA.
Insights
This review details the cardiac complications of COVID-19, including myocardial injury and arrhythmias. It also proposes a management algorithm for patients during the pandemic.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Internal Medicine
Background:
- Coronavirus disease (COVID-19), caused by SARS-CoV-2, presents with a spectrum of symptoms.
- Severe cases can lead to life-threatening cardiovascular and pulmonary complications.
- Cardiac issues include myocardial injury, arrhythmias, cardiogenic shock, and sudden death.
Purpose of the Study:
- To summarize the cardiac manifestations of COVID-19 infection.
- To propose a simplified patient management algorithm for the COVID-19 pandemic.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of cardiac complications associated with COVID-19.
- Synthesis of current understanding of cardiovascular manifestations.
- Development of a clinical management strategy.
Main Results:
- COVID-19 is associated with significant cardiac complications.
- Drug interactions with COVID-19 treatments can increase arrhythmia risk.
- Sudden death is a potential outcome of cardiac involvement.
Conclusions:
- Cardiac manifestations are a critical concern in COVID-19 patients.
- A structured approach to patient management is essential.
- Further research into cardiac sequelae and treatment interactions is warranted.
Abstract:
Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is a serious illness caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The symptoms of the disease range from asymptomatic to mild respiratory symptoms and even potentially life-threatening cardiovascular and pulmonary complications. Cardiac complications include acute myocardial injury, arrhythmias, cardiogenic shock and even sudden death. Furthermore, drug interactions with COVID-19 therapies may place the patient at risk for arrhythmias, cardiomyopathy and sudden death. In this review, we summarise the cardiac manifestations of COVID-19 infection and propose a simplified algorithm for patient management during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Related Concept Videos
Coronary Artery Disease II: Pathophysiology
Acute Coronary Syndrome II: Pathophysiology and Clinical Manifestations
Psychoneuroimmunology: Cardiovascular Disease
A key area of focus in PNI is the relationship between stress and coronary...
Rheumatic Heart Disease II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies
Rheumatic Heart Disease I: Introduction
Coronary Artery Disease I: Introduction
