Cardiovascular Complications of COVID-19: Pharmacotherapy Perspective

Cardiovasc Drugs Ther. 2021 Apr;35(2):249-259. doi: 10.1007/s10557-020-07037-2. Epub 2020 Jul 15.

Abstract

Coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19), which is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), is spreading rapidly the world over. The disease was declared "pandemic" by the World Health Organization. An approved therapy for patients with COVID-19 has yet to emerge; however, there are some medications used in the treatment of SARS-CoV-2 infection globally including hydroxychloroquine, remdesivir, dexamethasone, protease inhibitors, and anti-inflammatory agents. Patients with underlying cardiovascular disease are at increased risk of mortality and morbidity from COVID-19. Moreover, patients with chronic stable states and even otherwise healthy individuals might sustain acute cardiovascular problems due to COVID-19 infection. This article seeks to review the latest evidence with a view to explaining possible pharmacotherapies for the cardiovascular complications of COVID-19 including acute coronary syndrome, heart failure, myocarditis, arrhythmias, and venous thromboembolism, as well as possible interactions between these medications and those currently administered (or under evaluation) in the treatment of COVID-19.

Keywords: COVID-19; Cardiovascular; Drug–drug interactions; Pharmacotherapy; SARS-Cov2; Venous thromboembolism.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antiviral Agents* / classification
  • Antiviral Agents* / pharmacology
  • COVID-19 / complications
  • COVID-19 / epidemiology
  • COVID-19 / physiopathology
  • COVID-19 Drug Treatment*
  • Cardiovascular Diseases* / epidemiology
  • Cardiovascular Diseases* / therapy
  • Comorbidity
  • Humans
  • Prognosis
  • Risk Assessment
  • SARS-CoV-2

Substances

  • Antiviral Agents