May 1, 2020

Cardiovascular Manifestations and Treatment Considerations in Covid-19

Category: Article Summary

Topic: Clinical Characteristics and Health Care Setting

• Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a risk factor for severe COVID-19 disease and mortality. Additionally, evidence of myocardial injury (defined as elevation of high-sensitivity cardiac troponin (hs-cTn)) is common in COVID-19 patients and portends a worse prognosis. Increased levels of hs-cTn correlate with disease severity and mortality in COVID-19 patients, even after controlling for comorbidities. The pattern of rise of cTn levels is prognostic as fatal cases experience a higher level of Tn elevation which continue to rise until death, while cTn levels for survivors remain unchanged. This finding may support monitoring of cTn levels every few days in hospitalized patients.

Kang et al. (May 1, 2020). Cardiovascular Manifestations and Treatment Considerations in Covid-19. Heart. https://doi.org/10.1136/heartjnl-2020-317056