Direct cardiotropic effects of sars-cov-2 and its clinical correlation

Coronavirus disease 2019 (CO-VID-19) is a clinical entity caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) which has become a pandemic in the first half of 2020, dominating the global epidemiological panorama. Although the main affected focus is the respiratory tract, injury of other organs is not infrequent, including the kidneys, the gastrointestinal tract, and the cardiovascular system. In particular, the relationship between cardiovascular disorders and COVID-19 is bidirectional, as the preexistence of cardiovascular disease increases de risk of infection and complications. On the other hand, the infection has also been shown to generate cardiovascular injury via various mechanisms. The increased risk of various cardiovascular events has been documented in patients with COVID-19. Thus, considering cardiovascular function has been recommended in the management of patients with COVID-19, chiefly those with comorbidities. The objective of this review is to evaluate the mechanisms and theories explaining the cardiovascular effects of the SARS-CoV-2 infection, and to recognize its clinical implications.

Implications of obesity in the course of covid-19

Overweight and obesity have been dominant components in the international epidemiological outlook in recent decades. Obesity is a widely recognized risk factor for the development of various chronic non-communicable diseases such as diabetes mellitus, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and cancer, among several others. Both indi-vidually and in synergy, these factors increase infection risk. In the context of the pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), obesity has been linked with higher risk for complications and mortality. The mechanisms underlying the association between COVID-19 and obesity have not been fully elucidated;however, chronic inflammation has been identified as a central element in this scenario. Patients with obesity tend to show nutritional patterns and polypharmacy, which may significantly modify the clinical course and management of COVID-19, especially in coexistence with other comorbidities. Various hypolipemic, antihyperglycemic, and antihypertensive drugs have awakened great controversy in this context, concerning the worsening or improvement of the clinical course of COVID-19. This article explores the relationship between obesity and COVID-19 and the repercussions in its clinical management.