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Published on: July 18, 2014
Cardiac complications of COVID-19 infection
Sharan Randhawa1, Ammar J Alsamarrai2, Simon Lee3
1House Officer, Te Whatu Ora - Health New Zealand, Counties Manukau, Cardiology Department, Middlemore Hospital, Auckland, New Zealand.
Insights
COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) significantly increases the risk of serious cardiac complications, including heart attack and heart failure. Vigilance for these cardiovascular issues is crucial, especially in high-risk patients.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Public Health
Background:
- The COVID-19 pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 has been associated with various cardiovascular complications.
- Early data on cardiac risks were limited by small sample sizes and focus on severe cases.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the association between COVID-19 and cardiovascular complications.
- To provide updated risk estimates for cardiac issues in COVID-19 patients.
Main Methods:
- Review of recent, larger studies investigating COVID-19 and cardiovascular outcomes.
- Analysis of reported incidence of specific cardiac complications.
Main Results:
- COVID-19 patients face elevated risks of myocardial infarction, myocarditis, venous thromboembolism, arrhythmias, and heart failure exacerbation.
- A significant subset of patients experience persistent symptoms post-acute infection, known as "long COVID".
Conclusions:
- COVID-19 is linked to a broad spectrum of cardiovascular complications.
- Clinicians must maintain awareness of potential cardiac issues during acute COVID-19 illness, particularly in vulnerable populations.
Abstract:
Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, studies emerged reporting the occurrence of cardiovascular complications in patients affected by SARS-CoV-2. Initial data were likely skewed by higher risk populations and those with severe disease. Recent, larger studies have corroborated this association and provide estimates for risk of cardiovascular complications. Patients affected by COVID-19 are at increased risk of myocardial infarction, myocarditis, venous thromboembolism, arrhythmias, and exacerbation of heart failure. Furthermore, a subset of patients who recover from the acute illness have persistent symptoms, a condition termed "long COVID", and management of these symptoms is challenging. Clinicians treating patients affected by COVID-19 should remain vigilant for cardiac complications during the acute illness, particularly in high-risk populations.
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