Cardiovascular manifestations secondary to COVID-19: A narrative review

Respir Med Res. 2022 May:81:100904. doi: 10.1016/j.resmer.2022.100904. Epub 2022 May 4.

Abstract

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has spread rapidly, becoming a major threat to global health. In addition to having required the adaptation of healthcare workers for almost 2 years, it has been much talked about, both in the media and among the scientific community. Beyond lung damage and respiratory symptoms, the involvement of the cardiovascular system largely explains COVID-19 morbimortality. In this review, we emphasize that cardiovascular involvement is common and is associated with a worse prognosis, and that earlier detection by physicians should lead to better management. First, direct cardiac involvement will be discussed, in the form of COVID-19 myocarditis, then secondary cardiac involvement, such as myocardial injury, myocardial infarction and arrhythmias, will be considered. Finally, worsening of previous cardiovascular disease as a result of COVID-19 will be examined, as well as long-term COVID-19 effects and cardiovascular complications of COVID-19 vaccines.

Keywords: COVID-19; Cardiovascular system.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • COVID-19 Vaccines
  • COVID-19* / complications
  • Humans
  • Myocarditis* / complications
  • Myocarditis* / etiology
  • Pandemics
  • SARS-CoV-2

Substances

  • COVID-19 Vaccines