The impact of COVID-19 infection on the cardiovascular system: an evidence-based analysis of risk factors and outcomes

Abstract Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2(SARS-CoV-2), also known as COVID-19 emerged in late 2019 in Wuhan, China and the World Health Organization declared the virus a pandemic on March 11, 2020. Disease progression from COVID-19 infection has increasingly shown significant symptom manifestations within organ systems beyond the respiratory system. In this regard, literature has shown increasing numbers of cardiovascular involvement during disease course and an associated increase in mortality among infected patients. Complications involving the cardiovascular system include myocardial infarction, arrhythmias, shock, and heart failure. In this evidence-based review, we discuss risk factors of cardiovascular involvement in COVID-19 infection, pathophysiology of COVID-19-related cardiovascular infection and injury, COVID-19 effects on the cardiovascular system and corresponding treatments, and hematologic effects of COVID-19 and COVID-19 in heart transplant patients. Clinicians managing COVID-19 patients should appreciate the potential cardiovascular effects related to the disease process.