Medicus, Vol. 29 No. 2 COVID-19, 2020.
Review article
COVID-19 and Coronary Heart Disease – Strategies in Interventional Cardiology
Matias Trbušić
Nikola Bulj
Vjekoslav Radeljić
Diana Delić Brkljačić
Abstract
Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), including coronary heart disease (CHD), are still the leading causes of death in the Republic of Croatia. With timely diagnosis, modern medication, and organized systems such as a network of primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) for patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI), mortality from CVD is declining. The PubMed database and latest studies on the correlation of the new coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2) and CVD were used in this review article. This virus, the cause of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), posed a new challenge in the treatment of CHD for several reasons. COVID-19 is a disease that mainly affects the elderly with comorbidities such as arterial hypertension, diabetes, obesity, and CVD. The respiratory system is primarily affected, but cardiovascular complications may develop, such as myocardial lesions/infarction, myocarditis, shock, arrhythmias and death. Diagnosis and treatment of patients with AIM during the epidemic may be delayed due to anti-epidemic measures to stop transmission to patients and medical staff. The recommendations of the European Society of Cardiology emphasize adherence to current guidelines for the treatment of AIM, including PPCI as an optimal reperfusion strategy as early as possible, but with obligatory use of personal protection equipment and masks for patients. The morbidity and mortality of coronary patients may be most affected by the patient’s fear of hospitals, leading to a prolongation of the time from the onset of symptoms to the first medical contact. During an epidemic, it is important to educate patients, enable them direct contact and communication with a primary physician/cardiologist to prescribe amendments to their therapy, encourage a healthy lifestyle, and identify alarming symptoms as early as possible.
Keywords
COVID-19; coronary heart disease; primary PCI
Hrčak ID:
244330
URI
Publication date:
30.9.2020.
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