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Cardiovascular effects of the post-COVID-19 condition

Nature Cardiovascular Research volume 3, pages 118–129 (2024)Cite this article

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Abstract

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the new clinical entity of the post-COVID-19 condition, defined as a multisystemic condition of persistent symptoms following resolution of an acute severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection, has emerged as an important area of clinical focus. While this syndrome spans multiple organ systems, cardiovascular complications are often the most prominent features. These include, but are not limited to, myocardial injury, heart failure, arrhythmias, vascular injury/thrombosis and dysautonomia. As the number of individuals with the post-COVID-19 condition continues to climb and overwhelm medical systems, summarizing existing information and knowledge gaps in the complex cardiovascular effects of the post-COVID-19 condition has become critical for patient care. In this Review, we explore the current state of knowledge of the post-COVID-19 condition and identify areas where additional research is warranted. This will provide a framework for better understanding the cardiovascular manifestations of the post-COVID-19 condition with a focus on pathophysiology, diagnosis and management.

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Fig. 1: Cardiovascular complications in the post-COVID-19 condition.
Fig. 2: Pathophysiology of POTS in the post-COVID-19 condition.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA

    Erin Goerlich, Gloria H. Hong, Thomas S. Metkus, Nisha A. Gilotra, Wendy S. Post & Allison G. Hays

  2. Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and Department of Neurology, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA

    Tae H. Chung

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Contributions

All authors contributed extensively to the work presented in this paper. A.G.H., W.S.P. and E.G. created the review structure and outline. E.G., T.H.C., G.H.H., T.S.M., N.A.G. and A.G.H. all drafted respective review sections. E.G. compiled and finalized the manuscript. All authors assisted with editing the manuscript.

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Correspondence to Allison G. Hays.

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Nature Cardiovascular Research thanks Valentina Puntmann, Ziyad Al-Aly and Sameer M. Jamal for their contribution to the peer review of this work.

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Goerlich, E., Chung, T.H., Hong, G.H. et al. Cardiovascular effects of the post-COVID-19 condition. Nat Cardiovasc Res 3, 118–129 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s44161-023-00414-8

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