Emerging cardiological issues during the COVID-19 pandemic. (COVID19 special edition.)

ABSTRACT

Today the modern world is facing an unprecedented health crisis. The COVID-19 pandemic is putting extensive strain on healthcare systems hospitals and medical workers worldwide. Epidemiological data are emerging that COVID-19 patients with cardiac risk factors or pre-existing cardiac conditions are at increased risk for complications and mortality from COVID-19. As we just begin to understand the pathophysiology underlying the disease the involvement of the heart whether through direct myocardial infection and damage or due to cardiac complications is already evident. Also the current therapy for COVID-19 using antiviral agents (hydroxy)chloroquine and other off-label used medications is not without risk for cardiac side effects. Furthermore the pandemic puts stress on the organization of cardiac health care both for COVID-19 patients and for the acute and chronic care of cardiac patients in which patient as well as physician-related delays in treatment could potentially lead to harm. In conclusion, the COVID-19 pandemic has important implications for the cardiovascular care of our patients, whether by putting our patients at increased risk or by affecting the way we treat or care for our patients. All these issues are currently of great concern and as long as the virus stays endemic and in the absence of a vaccine or effective antiviral treatment, this will probably continue to have a marked impact on our daily practice.