REVIEW OF CARDIOPULMONARY AUTOPSY FINDINGS IN DECEASED COVID-19 POSITIVE PATIENTS IN A TERTIARY CARE CENTER IN CENTRAL INDIA

Abstract

COVID-19 is global pandemic caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. COVID-19 is a systemic multiorgan disorder with major involvement of the lungs and heart leading to Interstitial Pneumonia, Diffuse Alveolar Damage (DAD) and Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS). An important mechanism responsible for the widespread COVID-associated mortality is presumed to be the ineffective immune responses to the SARS-CoV-2 virus along with an associated thrombotic microangiopathy that ultimately leads to multiorgan failure and death. Even COVID-19 survivors with preexisting comorbidities; especially the elderly, run a risk of secondary neurologic and cardiopulmonary complications and might sometimes succumb to sudden death. Autopsy ndings are crucial to gaining a better understanding of the pathobiology of this “novel” disease as well as analyzing its long-term effects on target organs. In India, due to the prohibitive regulations regarding COVID autopsies; very little data is available on autopsy histopathology of patients dying of COVID-19; as well as those recovering from the disease, only to pass away during the recovery period. The present study aims to document the cardiopulmonary abnormalities found in autopsies of COVID-positive patients conducted at our institution while simultaneously conducting a review of the available international literature on the related topic. This will be particularly of interest for clinicians treating COVID-19 in Central India, as; of now, no similar studies have been reported from this region.