Management principles in patients with COVID-19: perspectives from a growing global experience with emphasis on...

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Infectious Diseases
• Public Health

Background:

• COVID-19 (caused by SARS-CoV-2) has caused significant mortality and highlighted healthcare management challenges.
• Patients with pre-existing cardiovascular disease, hypertension, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, and tobacco use are at higher risk for severe COVID-19 and fatality.
• Frequent cardiovascular complications include myopericarditis, acute coronary syndromes, thrombosis, arrhythmias, hypertension, and heart failure.

Purpose of the Study:

• To summarize and integrate recent publications and guidelines on COVID-19 cardiovascular complications.
• To provide pragmatic insights and a management approach based on frontline physician experience.
• To offer a useful tool for clinicians in managing cardiovascular complications of COVID-19.

Main Methods:

• Review of recent publications and newly developed cardiology guidelines.
• Integration of frontline physicians' first-hand experience.
• Emphasis on a strategic tier-based approach for assessment and management.

Main Results:

• Identification of key cardiovascular complications associated with COVID-19.
• Development of a structured, tier-based approach for patient assessment and management.
• Highlighting the utility of point-of-care ultrasound (lung ultrasound, echocardiography) and electrocardiography.

Conclusions:

• A pragmatic, integrated approach is crucial for managing cardiovascular complications of COVID-19.
• A tier-based strategy combined with diagnostic tools like point-of-care ultrasound and ECG can optimize patient care.
• This review serves as a valuable resource for clinicians globally in addressing the cardiovascular impact of COVID-19.