Effect of COVID-19 on the Organs

Uday Jain1

  • 1Anesthesiology, San Mateo Medical Center, San Mateo, USA.

Cureus
|September 9, 2020
PubMed

Insights

The COVID-19 virus impacts multiple organs, causing inflammation and blood clotting issues. This review details its widespread effects on the heart, brain, kidneys, and other systems, affecting patients and healthcare providers.

Area of Science:

  • Medical Science
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Cardiology

Background:

  • The COVID-19 pandemic has led to widespread global infections.
  • The virus, SARS-CoV-2, affects multiple organ systems.
  • Understanding its multi-organ impact is crucial for patient management.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the extensive effects of COVID-19 on various organs.
  • To document the pathological mechanisms involved, including inflammation and thrombosis.
  • To highlight the diverse clinical manifestations observed in patients.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies on COVID-19's organ-specific effects.
  • Analysis of reported pathological findings such as inflammation, endotheliitis, and hypercoagulability.
  • Compilation of clinical data on thrombotic events, cardiac, renal, neurological, and dermatological manifestations.

Main Results:

  • COVID-19 causes systemic inflammation, endotheliitis, vasoconstriction, hypercoagulability, and edema.
  • Observed hematological changes include lymphocytopenia, elevated D-dimer, FDPs, and DIC.
  • Reported thrombotic events include DVT, PE, arterial thrombosis, ischemic stroke, and MI. Cardiac effects include ACS, CHF, myocarditis, and arrhythmias. Kidney injury, neurological issues (stroke, delirium), anosmia, and skin manifestations are also common.

Conclusions:

  • COVID-19 is a multi-systemic disease with profound effects on virtually all organs.
  • The virus triggers significant inflammatory and thrombotic processes.
  • Clinical presentation is diverse, ranging from cardiovascular and neurological complications to psychological issues.

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