Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 7, 2025
13:07
Optical Coherence Tomography Based Biomechanical Fluid-Structure Interaction Analysis of Coronary Atherosclerosis Progression
Published on: January 15, 2022
4.0K
Coronavirus disease 2019 and the cardiologist
Khan O Mohammad1, Jose B Cruz Rodriguez2, Marcus A Urey2
1Department of Internal Medicine, Dell Medical School at the University of Texas, Austin, Texas.
Current Opinion in Cardiology
|June 22, 2022
Summary
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) significantly impacts the heart, causing myocardial injury in over 25% of hospitalized patients. This cardiac involvement is linked to worse prognosis and higher mortality rates from COVID-19 infection.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Public Health
Background:
- Extensive data link coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection to diverse cardiac complications.
- Cardiovascular disease patients face increased severity, complications, and mortality risks with COVID-19.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the cardiac involvement associated with COVID-19 infection.
- To summarize recent findings on myocardial injury mechanisms and prognosis.
- To discuss diagnostic tools and long-term cardiac follow-up.
Main Methods:
- Review of clinical and epidemiological data on COVID-19 and cardiac involvement.
- Analysis of proposed mechanisms of myocardial injury.
- Evaluation of diagnostic utility of echocardiography and cardiac MRI.
- Comparison of risks between COVID-19 infection and vaccination.
Main Results:
- Myocardial injury affects over 25% of hospitalized COVID-19 patients, correlating with higher mortality (up to 40%).
- Mechanisms include direct viral effects, cytokine storm, and stress cardiomyopathy.
- COVID-19 can cause new arrhythmias and heart failure, irrespective of prior heart conditions.
- Echocardiography and cardiac MRI aid in predicting mortality and managing myocarditis.
- COVID-19 vaccination shows a lower risk of myocarditis/arrhythmias compared to natural infection.
Conclusions:
- COVID-19 infection poses significant risks for cardiac complications, including myocardial injury, arrhythmias, and heart failure.
- Early diagnosis and monitoring using imaging techniques are crucial for patient outcomes.
- Understanding treatment impacts on cardiovascular morbidity and mortality is essential for managing the long-term effects of COVID-19.
Related Concept Videos
01:25Cardiomyopathy I: Introduction and Classification
49
Cardiomyopathy, or CMP, is a group of diseases affecting the myocardial structure, impairing its ability to pump blood effectively. This condition can lead to arrhythmias, heart failure, or sudden cardiac death.Cardiomyopathies are classified into primary and secondary categories:Primary Cardiomyopathy refers to conditions involving only the heart muscle that are often idiopathic (of unknown cause) or genetic. They primarily affect the myocardium without the involvement of other systemic...
49
01:30Coronary Artery Disease I: Introduction
53
Coronary Artery Disease (CAD): An Overview with Scientific InsightsCoronary Artery Disease (CAD), often referred to as C-A-D, is a prevalent blood vessel disorder classified under the broader category of atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is a pathological process characterized by the hardening and narrowing of arteries due to the accumulation of atherosclerotic plaques. These plaques are composed of cholesterol, fatty substances, inflammatory cells, calcium, and fibrin, reducing blood flow to...
53
01:30Coronary Artery Disease III: Clinical Manifestations
30
Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) is a primary health risk worldwide, leading to significant morbidity and mortality. The condition arises from the buildup of atherosclerotic plaques within the coronary arteries, resulting in diminished blood supply to the heart muscle.The clinical manifestations of CAD vary widely, from asymptomatic stages to severe, life-threatening conditions. Understanding these manifestations is crucial for early diagnosis and effective management.Angina Pectoris: The Warning...
30
01:19Acute Coronary Syndrome II: Pathophysiology and Clinical Manifestations
43
The pathophysiology of Acute Coronary Syndrome [ACD] involves several key processes:The main underlying cause of ACD is atherosclerosis, a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by the buildup of lipid-laden plaques within the coronary arteries.As the atherosclerotic plaque grows in the coronary artery, it may become unstable due to the formation of a lipid-rich core and a thin fibrous cap. Inflammatory cells within the plaque, such as macrophages, secrete enzymes that degrade the...
43
01:26Coronary Artery Disease II: Pathophysiology
32
Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) originates from a series of events that impair the function of coronary arteries, the blood vessels responsible for delivering oxygen-rich blood to the heart muscle. The pathophysiology of CAD is closely linked to atherosclerosis, a chronic inflammatory and lipid-driven condition affecting the vascular endothelium.1. Endothelial DamageThe process begins with damage to the vascular endothelium, which serves as a protective barrier between the blood and the vessel...
32
01:26Coronary Artery Disease IV: Preventive Measures
31
Effective preventive measures for coronary artery disease (CAD) focus on controlling modifiable risk factors, including cholesterol abnormalities and lifestyle changes.Cholesterol ManagementFirst, the Mediterranean diet and the American Heart Association advocate for maintaining low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels below 100 mg/dL, with a more stringent recommendation of below 70 mg/dL for individuals at high risk. LDL cholesterol, often termed "bad cholesterol," can lead to the...
31