Tuberculosis and Cardiovascular Complications: An Overview

Area of Science:

• Infectious Diseases
• Cardiology
• Public Health

Background:

• Tuberculosis (TB) remains a leading infectious cause of mortality globally.
• Cardiovascular diseases (CVS) are the primary cause of death worldwide, particularly in low and middle-income countries.
• High TB mortality rates overlap with high cardiovascular disease burdens, exacerbating risks.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the pathophysiology of cardiovascular complications in TB.
• To highlight mechanisms, common complications, management, and prognostic factors.
• To identify research gaps in understanding TB's cardiovascular impact.

Main Methods:

• Literature review focusing on TB and cardiovascular system interactions.
• Analysis of pathophysiological mechanisms.
• Synthesis of current management and prognostic data.

Main Results:

• TB affects multiple organ systems, including the cardiovascular system.
• Common complications include pericarditis; rarer forms involve myocarditis, coronary artery disease, and aortitis.
• Multisystemic TB involvement significantly increases cardiovascular mortality.

Conclusions:

• Cardiovascular complications of TB are diverse and contribute to high mortality.
• Rarer complications require a high index of suspicion for diagnosis and management.
• Further research is essential to elucidate causal mechanisms and optimize treatment strategies.