SARS-CoV-2-related cardiovascular complications in the tropics

One of the organs affected by SARS-CoV-2 is the heart. Cardiac manifestations of SARS-CoV-2 include acute coronary syndrome, endocarditis, myocarditis, pericarditis with pericardial effusion, heart failure, Takotsubo syndrome, arrhythmias, intra-ventricular thrombus formation, and cardiogenic shock. If COVID-19 patients present with cardiac complications, they require thorough cardiologic work-up, including coronary angiography if myocardial infarction or Takotsubo syndrome is suspected. Since patients with prosthetic valves and those carrying devises are prone to experience cardiac complications from a SARS-CoV-2 infection, they require particular attention and surveillance. If myocarditis is suspected, the diagnosis should be established by cardiac MRI with contrast medium or endo-myocardial biopsy.