Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 11, 2025

Scanning Electron Microscopy of Macerated Tissue to Visualize the Extracellular Matrix
10:21

Scanning Electron Microscopy of Macerated Tissue to Visualize the Extracellular Matrix

Published on: June 14, 2016

10.1K

Injury mechanism of COVID-19-induced cardiac complications

Ling Leng1, Xiu-Wu Bian2,3

  • 1Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Lab, Department of Medical Science Research Center, State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Translational Medicine Center, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100730, China.

Cardiology Plus
|November 6, 2023
PubMed

Insights

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) can cause life-threatening heart dysfunction through direct viral damage and inflammation. Understanding these mechanisms is key for new diagnostic and treatment strategies for COVID-19-related cardiac issues.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Pathology

Background:

  • Heart dysfunction is a critical complication of COVID-19, affecting critically ill patients.
  • Myocardial and cardiovascular damage are common extrapulmonary manifestations.
  • Understanding COVID-19's cardiac impact is vital for clinical management.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the mechanisms of direct and indirect cardiac damage caused by SARS-CoV-2.
  • To describe pathological pathways of myocardial and vascular injury.
  • To identify novel strategies for diagnosing and treating COVID-19-associated heart dysfunction.

Main Methods:

  • Review of direct viral damage to the heart.
  • Analysis of secondary damage from virus-driven inflammation.
  • Description of pathological mechanisms including ischemia, hypoxia, and microthrombosis.

Main Results:

  • Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) directly damages heart tissue.
  • Virus-induced inflammation leads to secondary myocardial and vascular injury.
  • Mechanisms involve microthrombosis, hypoxia, and metabolic disorders, triggering cell necrosis.

Conclusions:

  • COVID-19 causes cardiac dysfunction through direct and inflammatory pathways.
  • Pathological mechanisms include ischemia, hypoxia, and cellular necrosis.
  • Findings offer new approaches for diagnosing and treating heart issues in COVID-19 and Omicron variant patients.

Keywords:
COVID-19Cardiovascular diseasesMolecular pathologySARS-CoV-2

More Related Videos

Visualization of Streptococcus pneumoniae within Cardiac Microlesions and Subsequent Cardiac Remodeling08:25

Visualization of Streptococcus pneumoniae within Cardiac Microlesions and Subsequent Cardiac Remodeling

Published on: April 7, 2015

9.1K
A Cryoinjury Model to Study Myocardial Infarction in the Mouse06:29

A Cryoinjury Model to Study Myocardial Infarction in the Mouse

Published on: September 19, 2019

9.3K

Related Concept Videos

Myocarditis I: Introduction01:21

Myocarditis I: Introduction

Myocarditis is inflammation of the myocardium, which is the muscular layer of the heart.EtiologyMyocarditis has a diverse etiology, including a wide range of infectious and non-infectious causes:Infectious CausesViral: Common viruses include Coxsackie A and B, adenovirus, parvovirus B19, enteroviruses, and influenza A.Bacterial: Examples include infections caused by Streptococcus, Staphylococcus, and Mycoplasma species.Rickettsial: Infections like Rocky Mountain spotted fever can result in...
9
Rheumatic Heart Disease I: Introduction01:23

Rheumatic Heart Disease I: Introduction

Rheumatic heart disease or RHD is a chronic condition that results from rheumatic fever, causing permanent damage to the heart valves.Etiology and Risk FactorsIt primarily arises from rheumatic fever, an inflammatory disease that can develop after untreated or inadequately treated group A streptococcal (GAS) pharyngitis. Streptococcus spreads through direct contact with oral or respiratory secretions. While the bacteria are the causative agents, factors like malnutrition, overcrowding, poor...
14
Myocarditis III: Medical Management01:14

Myocarditis III: Medical Management

Myocarditis: Comprehensive Medical ManagementMyocarditis, the heart muscle inflammation, requires a comprehensive medical management strategy that addresses the underlying cause, provides supportive care, manages symptoms, and reduces cardiac workload.Infections and Autoimmune CausesAdminister appropriate antimicrobial therapy when an infectious agent causes myocarditis. For instance, penicillin treats infections caused by Group A Streptococcus. In cases where autoimmune processes are...
7
Mechanism of Cardiac Arrhythmias01:28

Mechanism of Cardiac Arrhythmias

Arrhythmias are irregular heart rhythms occurring when the heart's electrical impulses become abnormal. These disturbances can lead to various symptoms, depending on their severity and the underlying cause. Some common factors contributing to arrhythmias include hypoxia, ischemia, electrolyte imbalances, excessive catecholamine exposure, drug toxicity, and muscle overstretching. Arrhythmias can be classified into two main types based on the rate and site of origin of abnormal heart rhythms.
929
Pathophysiology of Heart Failure01:17

Pathophysiology of Heart Failure

Heart failure (HF) is a progressive syndrome involving ventricles that leads to inadequate cardiac output. It can be classified based on location and output or ejection fraction. Ejection fraction (EF) is an essential measurement in the diagnosis and surveillance of HF. Reduced EF corresponds to systolic heart failure (HFrEF). However, HF with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is becoming increasingly prevalent. Also known as diastolic HF, this form of HF is related to aging. The...
1.6K
Pathophysiology of Cardiac Performance01:29

Pathophysiology of Cardiac Performance

Typical heart performance is influenced by heart rate, rhythm, myocardial contraction, and metabolism or blood flow. The cardiac muscle exhibits distinct electrophysiological features, including pacemaker activity and calcium channel control, which play a vital role in the heart's response to various drugs. The autonomic nervous system, comprising the sympathetic and parasympathetic branches, regulates heart rate. Sympathetic activation increases heart rate, while parasympathetic activation...
675