We found a match
Your institution may have access to this item. Find your institution then sign in to continue.
- Title
Long COVID and the cardiovascular system—elucidating causes and cellular mechanisms in order to develop targeted diagnostic and therapeutic strategies: a joint Scientific Statement of the ESC Working Groups on Cellular Biology of the Heart and Myocardial and Pericardial Diseases
- Authors
Gyöngyösi, Mariann; Alcaide, Pilar; Asselbergs, Folkert W; Brundel, Bianca J J M; Camici, Giovanni G; Martins, Paula da Costa; Ferdinandy, Péter; Fontana, Marianna; Girao, Henrique; Gnecchi, Massimiliano; Gollmann-Tepeköylü, Can; Kleinbongard, Petra; Krieg, Thomas; Madonna, Rosalinda; Paillard, Melanie; Pantazis, Antonis; Perrino, Cinzia; Pesce, Maurizio; Schiattarella, Gabriele G; Sluijter, Joost P G
- Abstract
Long COVID has become a world-wide, non-communicable epidemic, caused by long-lasting multiorgan symptoms that endure for weeks or months after SARS-CoV-2 infection has already subsided. This scientific document aims to provide insight into the possible causes and therapeutic options available for the cardiovascular manifestations of long COVID. In addition to chronic fatigue, which is a common symptom of long COVID, patients may present with chest pain, ECG abnormalities, postural orthostatic tachycardia, or newly developed supraventricular or ventricular arrhythmias. Imaging of the heart and vessels has provided evidence of chronic, post-infectious perimyocarditis with consequent left or right ventricular failure, arterial wall inflammation, or microthrombosis in certain patient populations. Better understanding of the underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms of long COVID will aid in the development of effective treatment strategies for its cardiovascular manifestations. A number of mechanisms have been proposed, including those involving direct effects on the myocardium, microthrombotic damage to vessels or endothelium, or persistent inflammation. Unfortunately, existing circulating biomarkers, coagulation, and inflammatory markers, are not highly predictive for either the presence or outcome of long COVID when measured 3 months after SARS-CoV-2 infection. Further studies are needed to understand underlying mechanisms, identify specific biomarkers, and guide future preventive strategies or treatments to address long COVID and its cardiovascular sequelae.
- Subjects
POST-acute COVID-19 syndrome; CYTOLOGY; PERICARDIUM diseases; CARDIOVASCULAR system; CARDIOMYOPATHIES; BLOOD coagulation; ORTHOSTATIC intolerance; PALPITATION
- Publication
Cardiovascular Research, 2023, Vol 119, Issue 2, p336
- ISSN
0008-6363
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1093/cvr/cvac115