Open AccessSARS-CoV-2 as an inflammatory cardiovascular disease: current knowledge and future challenges
Author(s) -
Kevin Shah,
Margaret E. Hammond,
Stavros G. Drakos,
Jeffrey L. Anderson,
James C. Fang,
Kirk U. Knowlton,
Robin M. Shaw
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
future cardiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1744-8298
pISSN - 1479-6678
DOI - 10.2217/fca-2020-0188
Subject(s) - medicine , pandemic , disease , intensive care medicine , heart failure , cardiomyopathy , myocarditis , covid-19 , sudden cardiac death , cardiology , infectious disease (medical specialty)
SARS-CoV-2 is responsible for the 2020 global COVID-19 pandemic. In patients with COVID-19, multiple cardiovascular (CV) manifestations have been reported. SARS coronavirus 2 infection can lead to inflammatory CV disease first via takeover of the angiotensin-converting enzyme-2 enzyme as a cell receptor as well as the macrophage activation syndrome in severe illness. We review the CV manifestations of COVID-19 and therapeutics under investigation. We discuss the potential long-term CV sequelae after recovery from COVID-19 and the gaps in knowledge including the pathophysiological links between acute cardiac injury, myocardial inflammation and chronic cardiomyopathy. Future investigational efforts could result in significant diagnostic and therapeutic advances potentially impacting the broader field of chronic heart failure and cardiac recovery.