International Journal of Infection 2021; 5(3) September-December: 72-80
ARTICLE
THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC AND CARDIOVASCULAR PATHOGENESIS
Vecchiet J. The COVID-19 pandemic and cardiovascular pathogenesis. International Journal of Infection. 2021;5(3):72-80
J. Vecchiet1,2*
1Department of Medicine and Aging Sciences, “G. d’Annunzio” University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy;
2Clinic of Infectious Diseases, S.S. Annunziata Hospital, Chieti, Italy.
*Correspondence to:
Jacopo Vecchiet,
Department of Medicine and Ageing Sciences,
“G. d’Annunzio” University of Chieti-Pescara,
66100 Chieti, Italy.
ABSTRACT
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has not only caused respiratory problems that in many cases led to the death of the affected patient but has also caused significant cardiovascular diseases. The action of the SARS-CoV-2 virus induces inflammatory disorders and dysregulation of the immune and cardiovascular systems with hypoxia and coagulopathy. In severe cases, COVID-19 can cause myocardial injury, with elevated cardiac biomarkers. COVID-19 often triggers a “cytokine storm,” where pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF, are released excessively. SARS-CoV-2 infection is associated with a high risk of blood clot formation due to systemic inflammation and endothelial injury. Therefore, COVID-19 has a significant impact on the cardiovascular system, causing myocardial injury, heart failure, and thromboembolism with high mortality rates. Understanding these mechanisms may help improve the management of COVID-19-associated cardiovascular pathogenesis.
KEYWORDS: COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, virus, infection, inflammation, cardiovascular, cytokine
