Things You Should Know in the Performing Echocardiographic Examination in Patients with COVID-19.

ABSTRACT

Novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and it has become a pandemic problem. Cardiovascular diseases are common in COVID-19 patients, especially in severe forms of infection, and these are associated with higher mortality. SARS-CoV-2 infection can cause cardiovascular disease and worsen preexisting disease by direct invasion, hypoxia associated with pneumonia, and immunologic mechanisms. Because prompt detection and proper treatment can be critical to COVID-19 patients, echocardiographic examinations are essential diagnostic tools in the diagnosis and determination of treatment options. However, because there is an increased risk of infection during echocardiographic examinations, healthcare providers should pay attention to mitigate the risk of infection during the diagnosis and management of COVID-19 patients.