COVID-19 and Cardiovascular Disease From Bench to Bedside

A pandemic of historic impact, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has potential consequences on the cardiovascular health of millions of people who survive infection worldwide. Severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the etiologic agent of COVID-19, can infect the heart, vascular tissues, and circulating cells through ACE2 (angiotensin-converting enzyme 2), the host cell receptor for the viral spike protein. Acute cardiac injury is a common extrapulmonary manifestation of COVID-19 with potential chronic consequences. This update provides a review of the clinical manifestations of cardiovascular involvement, potential direct SARS-CoV-2 and indirect immune response mechanisms impacting the cardiovascular system, and implications for the management of patients after recovery from acute COVID-19 infection.

Automated summary

COVID-19, caused by SARS-CoV-2, has potential consequences on the cardiovascular health of millions of survivors worldwide. The virus can infect the heart, vascular tissues, and circulating cells through ACE2, leading to acute cardiac injury. This update reviews clinical manifestations, impact mechanisms, and management implications for patients after recovering from acute COVID-19 infection.