Acute myocardial damage in new coronavirus infection (COVID-19)

Abstract

Introduction. Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and cardiovascular events, acute myocardial injury being the most frequent of the latter, are among the leading causes of death in COVID-19 patients. The lack of consensus on acute myocardial injury pathogenesis mechanisms, the patients management, treatment an rehabilitation logistics, the anticoagulant treatment in identified SARS-CoV-2 or suspected COVID-19 patients setting indicates the need to assess, analyze and summarize the available data on the issue.Materials and methods. Scientific publications search was carried out in PubMed, Google Scholar databases for the period from December 2019 to September 2021.Results and Discussion. Cardiospecific troponin I increase beyond reference limits is reported to occur in at least every tenth patient with identified SARS-CoV-2, the elevated troponin detection rate increasing among persons with moderate to severe course of the infection. The mechanisms of acute myocardial injury in patients with COVID-19 are poorly understood. By September 2021, there are several pathogenesis theories. A high frequency viral myocarditis direct cardiomyocytes damage is explained by the high SARS-CoV-2 affinity to ACE2 expressed in the myocardium. The cytokine storm related myocardial damage is reported a multiple organ failure consequence. Coagulopathy may also trigger myocardial microvessels damage. Up to every third death of SARS-CoV-2 infected persons is related to the acute myocardial injury. At the same time, due to the high incidence of the acute myocardial injury, it is rather difficult to assess the true incidence of acute myocardial infarction in patients with COVID-19. In the pandemic setting, the waiting time for medical care increases, the population, trying to reduce social contacts, is less likely to seek medical help. In this regard, in order to provide effective medical care to patients with acute myocardial infarction, it is necessary to develop algorithms for providing care adapted to the current epidemiological situation.Conclusion. The treatment of patients with probable development of acute myocardial damage against the background of new coronavirus infection should be performed in accordance with the current clinical guidelines. Anticoagulant therapy should be administered in a prophylactic dose under control of hemostasis parameters and a wide range of biochemical parameters.