Echocardiographic Manifestations in COVID-19: A Review

COVID-19 has rapidly spread around the world and threatened global health. Although this disease mainly affects the respiratory system, there is increasing evidence that SARS-CoV-2 also has effects on the cardiovascular system. Echocardiography is a valuable tool in the assessment of cardiovascular disease. It is cost-effective, widely available and provides information that can influence management. Given the risk of personnel infection and equipment contamination during echocardiography, leading world societies have recommended performing echocardiography only when a clinical benefit is likely, favouring focussed evaluations and using smaller portable equipment. In the past months, multiple reports have described a wide pattern of echocardiographic abnormalities in patients with COVID-19. This review summarises these findings and discusses the possible mechanisms involved.

Automated summary

COVID-19 has rapidly spread globally and poses a threat to global health, with evidence showing effects on the cardiovascular system. Echocardiography is a valuable tool for assessing cardiovascular disease, with recommendations to use portable equipment and perform focused evaluations to minimize infection risks. Reports have shown a variety of echocardiographic abnormalities in COVID-19 patients, prompting further discussion on potential mechanisms involved.