Mechanisms of Damage to the Cardiovascular System in COVID-19

The review article is devoted to the analysis of the literature on the various mechanisms of damage to the cardiovascular system in COVID-19. The article briefly outlines the epidemiology and urgency of the COVID-19 problem, describes the features of the clinical picture of heart muscle damage in COVID-19. The pathophysiology, morphology and pathogenetic mechanisms of myocardial involvement in cases of SARS-CoV-2 lesion are considered in detail. The authors present a diagram of various mechanisms of myocardial damage in COVID-19, which includes mediated damage to the heart muscle through angiotensin-converting enzyme 2, myocardial damage caused by hypoxemia, microvascular heart damage, and systemic inflammatory response syndrome. A detailed scheme of cardiomyocyte infection with the involvement of cytokines, which ultimately leads to myocardial remodeling and dilated cardiomyopathy, is presented. The pathophysiological foundations of the development of sudden cardiac death in COVID-19, which include the mechanisms of life-threatening arrhythmias, acute coronary syndrome, and heart failure, are considered. The authors analyzed scientific studies of the toxic effects of COVID-19 drug treatment on the heart muscle, in particular, antiviral, antibacterial, antimalarial agents. Their potential benefits and harms, as well as the likelihood of developing cardiovascular events, in particular sudden cardiac death, were assessed.