Cardiovascular Effects of COVID-19 - What Do We Know and Where Should We Go?

Abstract

Amongst the many challenges of the global pandemic, understanding the effects of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on the cardiovascular system has emerged as a key priority. Emerging data indicate possible roles for cardiac biomarkers and cardiac imaging in the prognostic assessment of these patients, as well as implications of the vascular endothelium in the pathogenesis of the condition. From a therapeutic perspective, early data suggest that the provision of well-established treatments for cardiovascular disease, whether with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors or primary angioplasty, is likely to be beneficial. These early data are of limited quality however, and robust studies are needed to address many of the key remaining questions.