Factors Affecting the Practice of Corona Virus Disease-19 Prevention Activities in Patients With Heart Diseases in Korea.

This study was conducted in a cross-sectional correlation design to identify factors affecting the practice of COVID-19 prevention activities in patients with heart diseases. A convenience sample of 195 patients with heart diseases from one tertiary teaching hospital completed questionnaires with items from the characteristics of these participants, their knowledge, attitude, and practice related to COVID-19 prevention activities. Participants' knowledge, attitude, and practice for COVID-19 prevention were relatively high but there was a significant difference in the degree of practice of COVID-19 prevention activities according to the characteristics of the participants. The higher the level of their knowledge and the more positive their attitude, the higher their practice. Attitude and information check about COVID-19 prevention were factors that influenced the practice of COVID-19 prevention activities, with an explanatory power of 32%. This study can help motivate and actively encourage COVID-19 prevention practices.

Torsades de pointes in SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) pneumonia: medicine reconciliation and careful monitoring of QTc interval may help prevent cardiac complications.

Hydroxychloroquine has been widely prescribed to treat patients with COVID-19 pneumonia. A 73-year-0ld woman with COVID-19 pneumonia was treated with dexamethasone and hydroxychloroquine. Her home medications, citalopram and donepezil, were continued. The ECG prior to starting hydroxychloroquine showed normal sinus rhythm with prolonged corrected QT (QTc) of 497 ms, due to citalopram and donepezil therapy. Repeat ECG on days 3 and 4 of hydroxychloroquine therapy showed significantly prolonged QTc of 557 ms and 538 ms, respectively, despite normal serum electrolytes. All QT-prolonging medications including hydroxychloroquine were discontinued on day 4; however, she suffered a transient torsades de pointes lasting for about 15 s, which resolved before any intervention. QTc improved to 477 ms, after discontinuation of QT-prolonging medications. The patient had QTc prolongation and torsades de pointes due to therapy with multiple QT-prolonging medications. Medicine reconciliation and careful monitoring of QTc may help prevent cardiac complications in patients with COVID-19 treated with hydroxychloroquine.

The effects of novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) infection on cardiovascular diseases and cardiopulmonary injuries.

COVID-19 caused by a novel coronavirus named SARS-CoV-2, can elites severe acute respiratory syndrome, severe lung injury, cardiac injury, and even death and became a worldwide pandemic. SARS-CoV-2 infection may result in cardiac injury via several mechanisms, including the expression of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor and leading to a cytokine storm, can elicit an exaggerated host immune response. This response contributes to multi-organ dysfunction. As an emerging infectious disease, there are limited data on the effects of this infection on patients with underlying cardiovascular comorbidities. In this review, we summarize the early-stage clinical experiences with COVID-19, with particular focus on patients with cardiovascular diseases and cardiopulmonary injuries, and explores potential available evidence regarding the association between COVID-19, and cardiovascular complications.

ACE-2-interacting Domain of SARS-CoV-2 (AIDS) Peptide Suppresses Inflammation to Reduce Fever and Protect Lungs and Heart in Mice: Implications for COVID-19 Therapy.

COVID-19 is an infectious respiratory illness caused by the virus strain severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and until now, there is no effective therapy against COVID-19. Since SARS-CoV-2 binds to angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) for entering into host cells, to target COVID-19 from therapeutic angle, we engineered a hexapeptide corresponding to the ACE2-interacting domain of SARS-CoV-2 (AIDS) that inhibits the association between receptor-binding domain-containing spike S1 and ACE-2. Accordingly, wild type (wt), but not mutated (m), AIDS peptide inhibited SARS-CoV-2 spike S1-induced activation of NF-κB and expression of IL-6 in human lungs cells. Interestingly, intranasal intoxication of C57/BL6 mice with recombinant SARS-CoV-2 spike S1 led to fever, increase in IL-6 in lungs, infiltration of neutrophils into the lungs, arrhythmias, and impairment in locomotor activities, mimicking some of the important symptoms of COVID-19. However, intranasal treatment with wtAIDS, but not mAIDS, peptide reduced fever, protected lungs, improved heart function, and enhanced locomotor activities in SARS-CoV-2 spike S1-intoxicated mice. Therefore, selective targeting of ACE2-to-SARS-CoV-2 interaction by wtAIDS may be beneficial for COVID-19.

The Greek study in the effects of colchicine in COvid-19 complications prevention (GRECCO-19 study): Rationale and study design.

OBJECTIVE: Colchicine has been utilized safely in a variety of cardiovascular clinical conditions. Among its potential mechanisms of action is the non-selective inhibition of NLRP3 inflammasome which is thought to be a major pathophysiologic component in the clinical course of patients with COVID-19. GRECCO-19 will be a prospective, randomized, open-labeled, controlled study to assess the effects of colchicine in COVID-19 complications prevention. METHODS: Patients with laboratory confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection (under RT PCR) and clinical picture that involves temperature >37.5 oC and at least two out of the: i. sustained coughing, ii. sustained throat pain, iii. Anosmia and/or ageusia, iv. fatigue/tiredness, v. PaO2<95 mmHg will be included. Patients will be randomised (1:1) in colchicine or control group. RESULTS: Trial results will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations. CONCLUSION: GRECCO-19 trial aims to identify whether colchicine may positively intervene in the clinical course of COVID-19. (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04326790).