Cardiovascular Disease and SARS-CoV-2: the Role of Host Immune Response Versus Direct Viral Injury

Int J Mol Sci. 2020 Oct 30;21(21):8141. doi: 10.3390/ijms21218141.

Abstract

The 2019 novel coronavirus [2019-nCoV], which started to spread from December 2019 onwards, caused a global pandemic. Besides being responsible for the severe acute respiratory syndrome 2 [SARS-CoV-2], the virus can affect other organs causing various symptoms. A close relationship between SARS-CoV-2 and the cardiovascular system has been shown, demonstrating an epidemiological linkage between SARS-CoV-2 and cardiac injury. There are emerging data regarding possible direct myocardial damage by 2019-nCoV. In this review, the most important available evidences will be discussed to clarify the precise mechanisms of cardiovascular injury in SARS-CoV-2 patients, even if further researches are needed.

Keywords: SARS-CoV-2; cardiovascular diseases.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Betacoronavirus / immunology
  • COVID-19
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / epidemiology
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / etiology*
  • Coronavirus Infections / complications*
  • Coronavirus Infections / immunology
  • Humans
  • Pandemics
  • Pneumonia, Viral / complications*
  • Pneumonia, Viral / immunology
  • SARS-CoV-2