COVID-19 and the Heart: Lessons Learned and Future Research Directions

Abstract

It has become evident that acute COVID-19 infection can lead to cardiovascular complications. While the exact mechanisms by which COVID-19 affects the cardiovascular system have yet to be fully elucidated, several mechanisms have been proposed, including direct myocardial effects on the virus and systemic inflammation as an indirect result. The cardiovascular complications of COVID-19 have been characterized and described using noninvasive cardiac imaging. The impact of COVID-19 on the cardiovascular system extends beyond the acute phase of the infection and well beyond recovery or the convalescent period. However, the underlying mechanisms of post-viral long-COVID symptoms have yet to be elucidated. It is evident that COVID-19 has become endemic and is here to stay. Future studies are needed (1) to understand the long-term effects of the cardiovascular complications of COVID-19, future cardiovascular events and the impact of mutating variants on cardiovascular complications through data collection and analysis, (2) to identify the most important diagnostic criteria for prognosis of COVID-19 and to understand the disease mechanism through biomarkers and advanced cardiac imaging, including echocardiography and (3) to develop novel strategies to manage and treat these cardiovascular complications using the knowledge gained.