Acute and Chronic Effects of COVID-19 on the Cardiovascular System

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Infectious Diseases
• Cardiovascular Medicine

Background:

• COVID-19 presents significant multi-system morbidity, notably affecting the cardiovascular system.
• Cardiovascular manifestations during acute COVID-19 include myocardial injury, infarction, thromboembolism, myocarditis, and arrhythmias.
• Myocardial injury, indicated by elevated cardiac biomarkers, occurs in approximately 20% of cases and correlates with adverse outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the cardiovascular manifestations of COVID-19.
• To discuss the mechanisms, diagnosis, and prognosis of cardiac involvement in COVID-19.
• To highlight the need for further research into long-term cardiac sequelae.

Main Methods:

• Literature review and synthesis of existing studies on COVID-19 and cardiovascular complications.
• Analysis of diagnostic findings from echocardiography and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging.
• Examination of data regarding acute, post-acute, and chronic follow-up of cardiac symptoms and imaging changes.

Main Results:

• Myocardial injury is prevalent (around 20%) and linked to poorer outcomes.
• Echocardiography and cardiac MRI reveal varied findings, with notable myocarditis criteria.
• Persistent symptoms and imaging abnormalities are observed in recovered patients, raising long-term concerns.

Conclusions:

• COVID-19 significantly impacts the cardiovascular system, with myocardial injury being a common complication.
• The mechanisms underlying cardiac involvement require further elucidation.
• Long-term cardiovascular consequences and the significance of persistent findings in recovered individuals warrant continued investigation.