Cardiovascular Disease and SARS-CoV-2: the Role of Host Immune Response Versus Direct Viral Injury
Federico Biscetti, Maria Margherita Rando, Elisabetta Nardella, Andrea Leonardo Cecchini, Piergiorgio Bruno, Raffaele Landolfi, Andrea Flex
Abstract
The 2019 novel coronavirus [2019-nCoV], which started to spread from December 2019 onwards, caused a global pandemic. Besides being responsible for the severe acute respiratory syndrome 2 [SARS-CoV-2], the virus can affect other organs causing various symptoms. A close relationship between SARS-CoV-2 and the cardiovascular system has been shown, demonstrating an epidemiological linkage between SARS-CoV-2 and cardiac injury. There are emerging data regarding possible direct myocardial damage by 2019-nCoV. In this review, the most important available evidences will be discussed to clarify the precise mechanisms of cardiovascular injury in SARS-CoV-2 patients, even if further researches are needed.