COVID-19 and Multiorgan Response: The Long-Term Impact

In late December 2019, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type-2 (SARS-CoV-2) was discovered following a cluster of pneumonia cases in Wuhan, China. During the early stages of the COVID19 pandemic in 2020, it was unclear how this virus would manifest into a multiorgan impacting disease. After over 750 million cases worldwide, it has become increasingly evident that SARS-CoV-2 is a complex multifaceted disease we continue to develop our understanding of the pathophysiology of COVID-19 and how it affects these systems has many theories, ranging from direct viral infection via ACE2 receptor binding, to indirect coagulation dysfunction, cytokine storm, and pathological activation of the complement system. Since the onset of the pandemic, disease presentation, management, and manifestation have changed significantly. This paper intends to expand on the long-term impacts of COVID-19 on the cardiovascular, respiratory, urinary, gastrointestinal, and vascular systems of the body and the changes in clinical management. It is evident that the pharmacological, nonpharmacological and psychological management of COVID-19 patients require clearer guidelines to improve the survival odds and long-term clinical outcomes of those present-ing with severe disease. (Curr Probl Cardiol 2023;48:101756.)

Automated summary

In late December 2019, the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 was discovered in Wuhan, China, causing a cluster of pneumonia cases. As the COVID-19 pandemic progressed in 2020, it became clear that the virus had the potential to affect multiple organ systems. Through extensive research on over 750 million cases worldwide, it has been found that COVID-19 is a complex disease with various theories on its pathophysiology and impact on the body, including direct viral infection, coagulation dysfunction, cytokine storm, and complement system activation. This paper focuses on the long-term effects of COVID-19 on the cardiovascular, respiratory, urinary, gastrointestinal, and vascular systems, as well as the changes in clinical management. Clearer guidelines are needed for the pharmacological, nonpharmacological, and psychological management of COVID-19 patients to improve survival rates and long-term outcomes.