Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 15, 2025
09:20
Microelectrode Array Recording of Sinoatrial Node Firing Rate to Identify Intrinsic Cardiac Pacemaking Defects in Mice
Published on: July 5, 2021
3.0K
Pathophysiological correlations between SARS-CoV-2 and arrhythmogenesis: a literature review
Maria Alexandra Junghetu1, Elena Bălăşescu2, Laurenţiu Mihăiţă Stratan3
1Student, Faculty of Medicine, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, No 37 Dionisie Lupu Street, Bucharest, Romania.
Germs
|August 22, 2024
Summary
SARS-CoV-2 infection can cause cardiac arrhythmias, independent of lung injury severity. Understanding these arrhythmias and risk factors is crucial for reducing mortality in hospitalized patients.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Virology
Background:
- Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection causes significant cardiovascular injury, including cardiac arrhythmias.
- Cardiac arrhythmias are a poor prognostic factor in COVID-19, increasing mortality risk and hospitalization duration.
- Arrhythmias may occur independently of lung injury severity and can also be a side effect of antiviral treatments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the link between SARS-CoV-2 infection and cardiac arrhythmias.
- To identify pathophysiological mechanisms and risk factors associated with SARS-CoV-2-induced cardiac arrhythmias.
- To inform targeted therapeutic interventions for reducing mortality in hospitalized patients.
Main Methods:
- Systematic literature review conducted from September 2022 to October 2023.
- PubMed database searched using keywords: COVID-19, cardiac arrhythmias, and observational studies.
- Inclusion/exclusion criteria applied to 266 initially identified studies, resulting in 22 studies for review.
Main Results:
- A review of 22 observational studies was conducted.
- The studies analyzed the occurrence of cardiac arrhythmias in patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection.
- Cardiac arrhythmias were identified as a significant complication, irrespective of lung injury severity.
Conclusions:
- Elucidating the mechanisms of SARS-CoV-2-induced cardiac arrhythmias is essential.
- Identifying associated risk factors can guide targeted treatments.
- Understanding these factors may decrease mortality rates in hospitalized COVID-19 patients.
Related Concept Videos
01:28Mechanism of Cardiac Arrhythmias
901
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.
901
01:16ECG Interpretation of Arrhythmias I: Sinus Arrhythmias
200
Arrhythmias are disturbances in the heart's rhythm that lead to abnormal heartbeats. These irregularities can originate from different parts of the heart and are classified based on their origin and nature.
Types of Arrhythmias
Sinus Node Arrhythmias
Sinus Bradycardia: Originating from the sinoatrial (SA) node, sinus bradycardia involves slower impulses, resulting in a heart rate of less than 60 beats per minute (bpm). Causes include sleep, vagal stimulation, beta-blockers, hypothyroidism,...
Types of Arrhythmias
Sinus Node Arrhythmias
Sinus Bradycardia: Originating from the sinoatrial (SA) node, sinus bradycardia involves slower impulses, resulting in a heart rate of less than 60 beats per minute (bpm). Causes include sleep, vagal stimulation, beta-blockers, hypothyroidism,...
200
01:28Disturbances in Heart Rhythm
922
Arrhythmia or dysrhythmia refers to an abnormal heart rhythm caused by a defect in the heart's conduction system. It can cause the heart to beat irregularly, too quickly, or too slowly, leading to symptoms like chest pain, shortness of breath, and fainting. Factors such as stress, caffeine, alcohol, nicotine, cocaine, certain drugs, congenital defects, diseases, and electrolyte abnormalities can trigger arrhythmias.
Arrhythmias are categorized by their speed, rhythm, and origin. A slow...
Arrhythmias are categorized by their speed, rhythm, and origin. A slow...
922
01:19Electrophysiology of Normal Cardiac Rhythm
2.5K
The normal cardiac rhythm is a synchronized electrical activity that facilitates the regular and coordinated contraction of the heart muscle. This process is essential for efficient blood circulation throughout the body. The fundamental elements involved in establishing and maintaining this rhythm include the unique electrical properties of cardiac muscle cells, the sinoatrial (SA) node's pacemaker function, the specialized conducting system, and the ionic mechanisms underlying each phase...
2.5K
01:25Correlation between ECG and Cardiac Cycle
3.7K
The electrical signals recorded on an electrocardiogram (ECG) occur before the mechanical processes of contraction and relaxation during the cardiac cycle.
A cardiac action potential originates in the SA node and spreads throughout the atria and the AV node in approximately 0.03 seconds. This results in the P wave in an ECG and triggers atrial contraction. The action potential is then briefly slowed at the AV node, allowing the atria to contract and fill the ventricles with blood before...
A cardiac action potential originates in the SA node and spreads throughout the atria and the AV node in approximately 0.03 seconds. This results in the P wave in an ECG and triggers atrial contraction. The action potential is then briefly slowed at the AV node, allowing the atria to contract and fill the ventricles with blood before...
3.7K
01:29Pathophysiology of Cardiac Performance
617
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...
617