Coronavirus disease 2019 and cardiovascular diseases: collateral damage?

Cardiovascular involvement in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is relatively common and portends an increased risk of morbidity and mortality. Manifestations of myocardial injury may exhibit significant overlap and result in diagnostic uncertainty. This review will summarize recent literature around cardiovascular complications of COVID-19.

Venous thromboembolism, atrial fibrillation, and type II myocardial infarction are observed commonly in COVID-19, while severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 viral myocarditis remains quite rare. Although infrequent, COVID-19 vaccination has been associated with myocarditis and pericarditis in young individuals.

Various forms of COVID-19-related myocardial injury have been associated with increased utilization of mechanical ventilation, hemodynamic deterioration, and mortality. Manifestations of myocardial injury in COVID-19 are varied, but share common drivers of illness including sequelae of sepsis, immune-mediated factors, and a prothrombotic state. Understanding the forms of myocardial injury in COVID-19 may aid in rapid diagnosis and treatment.