Cardiovascular Complications of COVID-19: A Scoping Review of Evidence

Cureus. 2023 Nov 4;15(11):e48275. doi: 10.7759/cureus.48275. eCollection 2023 Nov.

Abstract

This scoping review sought to identify the nature and extent of clinical evidence regarding the acute and long-term cardiovascular complications associated with COVID-19. Forty-nine studies published between 2020 and 2023 were selected for review. The studies were divided into two groups. The referential group included 22 studies. The second group of 27 studies was used for a detailed review to assess the strength of the evidence. The aggregate evidence indicates that the most common cardiac complications associated with COVID-19 include but are not limited to acute pericarditis, acute myocardial injury, acute myocarditis, various arrhythmias, microvascular angiopathy, left ventricular dysfunction, heart failure, acute cardiac injury, and acute coronary syndrome. Clinical and epidemiological implications of the findings are investigated, and future research recommendations are proposed.

Keywords: acute effects of covid-19; cardiac complications; cardiovascular complications; covid-19; long-term effects of covid-19.

Publication types

  • Review