COVID-19: Case fatality and ACE2 inhibitors treatment concerns in patients with comorbidities

Med J Islam Repub Iran. 2020 Nov 2:34:147. doi: 10.34171/mjiri.34.147. eCollection 2020.

Abstract

The Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak is becoming pandemic with the highest mortality in patients with associated comorbidities. These RNA viruses containing 4 structural proteins usually use spike protein to enter the host cell. Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) acts as a host receptor for the virus. Therefore, medications acting on renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system can lead to serious complications, especially in patients with diabetes and hypertension. To avoid this, other potential treatment modalities should be used in COVID-19 patients with associated comorbidities.

Keywords: ACE2 inhibitors; Associated comorbidities; COVID-19; Treatment; Type 2 diabetes.

Publication types

  • Review