Managing Covid-19 in patients with heart failure: current status and future prospects

Hawani Sasmaya Prameswari1, Iwan Cahyo Santosa Putra1, Wilson Matthew Raffaello2

  • 1Department of Cardiology and Vascular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Padjadjaran, Bandung, Indonesia.

Insights

This review addresses the lack of guidance on managing heart failure (HF) in COVID-19 patients. It aims to reduce morbidity and mortality by informing clinicians on optimal HF therapies during the pandemic.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • COVID-19 can worsen existing heart failure (HF) or cause new-onset HF due to hyperinflammation and increased metabolic demand.
  • Current guidelines from WHO and NIH lack specific recommendations for HF drug choices in COVID-19 patients.

Approach:

  • A comprehensive literature search was conducted across MEDLINE, Europe PMC, and ScienceDirect.
  • 157 studies were included and rigorously evaluated by two independent investigators.
  • The review synthesizes data on managing HF in the context of COVID-19.

Key Points:

  • Lack of specific HF drug recommendations for COVID-19 patients.
  • Potential for COVID-19 to precipitate or exacerbate heart failure.
  • Need for evidence-based therapeutic strategies to mitigate adverse outcomes.

Conclusions:

  • This review aims to fill the gap in comprehensive research on HF management during COVID-19.
  • Providing clinicians with data to select beneficial therapies and avoid harmful combinations.
  • Reducing morbidity and mortality in COVID-19 patients with heart failure.
Abstract

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