[COVID-19 and arrhythmias]

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Infectious Diseases
• Virology

Background:

• While not initially prominent, SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) exhibits cardiac tropism, affecting multiple organs.
• Emerging evidence indicates a significant incidence of cardiac arrhythmias in COVID-19 patients.
• The full spectrum of cardiac involvement and long-term consequences remains under investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To summarize the current understanding of arrhythmias associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection.
• To highlight the types and potential severity of cardiac rhythm disturbances observed.
• To identify knowledge gaps regarding medium and long-term cardiac monitoring post-infection.

Main Methods:

• Review of published case series and clinical observations concerning COVID-19 and cardiac arrhythmias.
• Analysis of reported arrhythmia types, including supraventricular and ventricular disorders.
• Discussion of potential etiological factors and clinical implications.

Main Results:

• COVID-19 is associated with a notable proportion of arrhythmias, some life-threatening.
• Common arrhythmias include atrial fibrillation (AF), atrial flutter, ventricular tachycardias (VT), and ventricular fibrillation (VF).
• Less frequent but severe arrhythmias like Torsades de Pointes (TdP) have also been reported.

Conclusions:

• SARS-CoV-2 infection can precipitate a range of cardiac arrhythmias due to multiorgan damage and drug interactions.
• The potential for medium and long-term rhythm disorders following COVID-19 necessitates further research and monitoring strategies.