COVID-19 and the Heart / COVID-19 y el corazón

Abstract Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) which causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has resulted in a global health crisis. Prior to the arrival of this viral pandemic, the world was already plagued with a significant burden of cardiovascular disease. With the introduction of the novel virus, the world now faces a double jeapordy. Early reports have suggested an increased risk of death in individuals with underlying cardio-metabolic disorders. The exact effects of COVID-19 on the cardiovascular system are not well determined, however lessons from prior viral epidemics suggest that such infections can trigger acute coronary syndromes, arrhythmias and heart failure via direct and indirect mechanisms. In this article, we aimed to discuss the effects and potential underlying mechanisms of COVID -19 as well as potential implications of treatments targeted against this virus on the cardiovascular system.

Resumen El síndrome respiratorio agudo severo coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) que causa la enfermedad por coronavirus (COVID-19) ha provocado una crisis en la salud global. Antes de la llegada de esta pandemia, se tenia una carga importante de enfermedad cardiovascular a nivel mundial. Con la introducción del nuevo virus, el mundo ahora se enfrenta a un doble peligro. Los primeros informes han sugerido un mayor riesgo de muerte en personas con trastornos cardio-metabólicos de base. Los efectos causados por el COVID-19, en el sistema cardiovascular aun no están bien determinados, sin embargo, el conocimiento sobre otras epidemias virales previamente ocurridas en el mundo, sugieren que estas infecciones pueden desencadenar síndromes coronarios agudos, arritmias e insuficiencia cardíaca a través de mecanismos directos e indirectos. En este artículo, nuestro objetivo fue analizar los efectos y los posibles mecanismos subyacentes de COVID -19, así como las posibles implicaciones de los tratamientos dirigidos contra este virus en el sistema cardiovascular.

Drug utilization study of antihypertensive drugs in hypertensive diabetic patients in a tertiary care hospital.

Background: Diabetes along with hypertension is a very common ailment afflicting millions of people worldwide. The socio-economic stress caused by the morbidity and mortality associated with it is mind boggling. Hence, this study was undertaken to study the utilization of antihypertensive drugs in hypertensive diabetic patients. Methods: A prospective study was conducted on 100 hypertensive diabetic patients aged between 18 and 90 years of either gender attending Basaveshwar Teaching and General Hospital, Kalaburagi. The data collected were statistically analyzed and presented as counts and percentages. Results: In our study, we found that majority (63%) were male patients and majority belonged to 51-70 years age group. The majority of the patients were prescribed angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) alone (19%), followed by a combination of ACEIs and calcium channel blockers (9%). The generic prescribing was only 23%, and patient’s knowledge of correct dosage was 64%. Conclusion: In this study, it has been observed that the antihypertensives drugs were prescribed rationally, but the generic prescribing was only 23% which is inappropriate prescribing behavior. Hence, physicians should be educated to prescribe drugs in the generic name so that the cost of drugs is reduced.