COVID-19 and Cardiovascular Disease
Kevin J. Clerkin, J. Fried, J. Raikhelkar, Gabriel Sayer, Jan M. Griffin, Amirali Masoumi, Sneha S. Jain, Daniel Burkhoff, Deepa Kumaraiah, LeRoy E. Rabbani, Allan Schwartz, Nir Uriel
Abstract
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a global pandemic affecting 185 countries and >3 000 000 patients worldwide as of April 28, 2020. COVID-19 is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, which invades cells through the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 receptor. Among patients with COVID-19, there is a high prevalence of cardiovascular disease, and >7% of patients experience myocardial injury from the infection (22% of critically ill patients). Although angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 serves as the portal for infection, the role of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers requires further investigation. COVID-19 poses a challenge for heart transplantation, affecting donor selection, immunosuppression, and posttransplant management. There are a number of promising therapies under active investigation to treat and prevent COVID-19.