Coronavirus disease 2019 and cardiovascular diseases: collateral damage?

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Infectious Diseases
• Pulmonology

Background:

• Cardiovascular involvement is frequent in COVID-19, associated with higher morbidity and mortality.
• Myocardial injury manifestations in COVID-19 can be complex and challenging to diagnose.
• Understanding these complications is crucial for effective patient management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review current literature on cardiovascular complications associated with COVID-19.
• To elucidate the spectrum of myocardial injury in COVID-19 patients.
• To highlight diagnostic and therapeutic implications.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of recent studies on COVID-19 and cardiovascular complications.
• Synthesis of findings on various cardiac manifestations.
• Analysis of associated risk factors and outcomes.

Main Results:

• Common findings include venous thromboembolism, atrial fibrillation, and type II myocardial infarction.
• Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) viral myocarditis is rare.
• COVID-19 vaccination is infrequently linked to myocarditis and pericarditis in younger populations.

Conclusions:

• COVID-19-related myocardial injury correlates with increased mechanical ventilation, hemodynamic instability, and mortality.
• Diverse myocardial injury forms share common underlying mechanisms: sepsis sequelae, immune factors, and prothrombotic state.
• Recognizing these varied manifestations aids in prompt diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular issues in COVID-19.