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Cardiovascular Complications in Coronavirus Disease 2019-Pathogenesis and Management
Marcos I Restrepo1,2, Judith Marin-Corral1,3,4, Juan J Rodriguez5
1Division of Pulmonary Diseases and Critical Care Medicine, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas.
Insights
The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacts cardiovascular health, with the virus targeting heart cells. This review covers the epidemiology, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of these severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 related cardiac complications.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Pathology
Background:
- The COVID-19 pandemic has led to significant global morbidity and mortality.
- Severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) exhibits tropism for the cardiovascular system.
- Viral entry into host cells via angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptors triggers endothelial injury.
Approach:
- This review synthesizes key literature on cardiovascular complications associated with COVID-19.
- It examines the epidemiology, diagnosis, treatment, and preventive strategies.
- Focus is placed on the mechanisms of viral-induced cardiac damage.
Key Points:
- SARS-CoV-2 infection can cause direct endothelial injury, inflammation, microthrombosis, and angiogenesis.
- Associated cardiovascular conditions include acute myocarditis, arrhythmias, heart failure, ischemic heart disease, stroke, and thromboembolic disease.
- Understanding these complications is crucial for patient management.
Conclusions:
- COVID-19 poses a substantial threat to cardiovascular health.
- Prompt diagnosis and appropriate management are essential for mitigating adverse cardiac outcomes.
- Further research into preventive measures is warranted.
Abstract:
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has caused a devastating impact on morbidity and mortality around the world. Severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 has a characteristic tropism for the cardiovascular system by entering the host cells and binding to angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 receptors, which are expressed in different cells, particularly endothelial cells. This endothelial injury is linked by a direct intracellular viral invasion leading to inflammation, microthrombosis, and angiogenesis. COVID-19 has been associated with acute myocarditis, cardiac arrhythmias, new onset or worsening heart failure, ischemic heart disease, stroke, and thromboembolic disease. This review summarizes key relevant literature regarding the epidemiology, diagnosis, treatment, and preventive measures related to cardiovascular complications in the setting of COVID-19.
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