Coronavirus Disease 2019 and the Cerebrovascular-Cardiovascular Systems: What Do We Know So Far?

Abstract

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 pandemic of 2019 to 2020 has resulted in multiple hospitalizations, deaths, and economic hardships worldwide. Although respiratory involvement in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is well known, the potential cardiovascular and cerebrovascular manifestations are less understood. We performed a PubMed and Google Scholar search and reviewed relevant literature on COVID-19 and cardiovascular system involvement. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 possesses high affinity for angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 receptor, which is highly concentrated in the lungs and cardiovascular tissue, thereby provoking concern for cardiovascular involvement in COVID-19 cases. Preexisting cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease has been shown in previous reports to be a risk factor for severe infection. On the basis of our review of published studies, COVID-19 patients may be more likely to experience acute cardiac injury, arrhythmia, coagulation defects, and acute stroke and are likely to have poorer outcomes as a result. As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, more data about potential cardiovascular and cerebrovascular manifestations of the disease are required.

Keywords: COVID‐19; SARS‐CoV‐2; cardiac disease; cerebrovascular disease/stroke; coronavirus; vascular disease.

Figure 1. Diagrammatic representation of potential mechanisms of cerebrovascular‐cardiovascular manifestations in cases of coronavirus disease 2019.

ACE2 indicates angiotensin‐converting enzyme 2; and SARS‐CoV‐2, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2.