COVID-19 and the cardiovascular system: A review of current data, summary of best practices, outline of controversies, and illustrative case reports

Am Heart J. 2020 Aug:226:174-187. doi: 10.1016/j.ahj.2020.06.009. Epub 2020 Jun 15.

Abstract

As the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 virus pandemic continues to grow globally, an association is apparent between patients with underlying cardiovascular disease comorbidities and the risk of developing severe COVID-19. Furthermore, there are potential cardiac manifestations of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 including myocyte injury, ventricular dysfunction, coagulopathy, and electrophysiologic abnormalities. Balancing management of the infection and treatment of underlying cardiovascular disease requires further study. Addressing the increasing reports of health care worker exposure and deaths remains paramount. This review summarizes the most contemporary literature on the relationship of the cardiovascular system and COVID-19 and society statements with relevance to protection of health care workers, and provides illustrative case reports in this context.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Acute Coronary Syndrome / epidemiology
  • Adult
  • Age Factors
  • Aged
  • Angiotensin Receptor Antagonists / adverse effects
  • Angiotensin Receptor Antagonists / therapeutic use
  • Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors / adverse effects
  • Arrhythmias, Cardiac / etiology
  • Betacoronavirus*
  • Biomarkers / blood
  • COVID-19
  • Cardiac Catheterization
  • Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / complications*
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / epidemiology
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / mortality
  • Cardiovascular System
  • Comorbidity
  • Coronavirus Infections / complications*
  • Coronavirus Infections / epidemiology
  • Coronavirus Infections / mortality
  • Coronavirus Infections / prevention & control
  • Electrocardiography
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Female
  • Health Personnel*
  • Hospitalization / statistics & numerical data
  • Hospitalization / trends
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Occupational Diseases / epidemiology
  • Occupational Diseases / prevention & control
  • Pandemics* / prevention & control
  • Personal Protective Equipment
  • Pneumonia, Viral / complications*
  • Pneumonia, Viral / epidemiology
  • Pneumonia, Viral / mortality
  • Pneumonia, Viral / prevention & control
  • SARS-CoV-2
  • Ventricular Function

Substances

  • Angiotensin Receptor Antagonists
  • Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors
  • Biomarkers