Cardiovascular complications of COVID-19
Abstract
Cardiac injury associated with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is associated with high fatality rates. We reviewed the literature on COVID-19-related cardiovascular complications to elucidate the putative causes, diagnosis, and management of cardiovascular complications of COVID-19. Putative causes of these cardiovascular complications include cytokine storm, myocarditis, coronary plaque rupture, hypercoagulability, stress cardiomyopathy or combinations thereof. Cardiac troponin, D-dimer, and N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide levels all provide prognostic information on COVID-19-related cardiovascular complications: elevated levels correlate with poorer prognosis. Coronary thrombosis due to COVID-19 may be associated with a higher thrombus burden than that from other causes. Hypercoagulability can be extremely challenging to treat, and in the absence of contra-indications, thromboprophylaxis is generally indicated in intensive care unit patients. With the exception of percutaneous coronary intervention for acute myocardial infarction, there are no specific treatments for COVID-19-related cardiovascular complications and management is primarily supportive. Whether antiviral therapies, coupled with monoclonal antibodies administered early in the course of COVID-19 illness will prevent severe cardiovascular complications remains to be seen.
Citation
Lo, Y. A., Jok, C., & Tse, H. (2022, May 31). Cardiovascular complications of COVID-19. Hong Kong Medical Journal. Hong Kong Academy of Medicine Press. http://doi.org/10.12809/hkmj209217
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Addition Details
Date:
2022-10-21
Wave of COVID:
5th
Category:
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