Pathophysiology and pharmacological management of pulmonary and cardiovascular features of COVID-19

J Mol Cell Cardiol. 2021 Apr:153:72-85. doi: 10.1016/j.yjmcc.2020.12.009. Epub 2020 Dec 26.

Abstract

The first confirmed case of novel Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the United States was reported on January 20, 2020. As of November 24, 2020, close to 12.2 million cases of COVID-19 was confirmed in the US, with over 255,958 deaths. The rapid transmission of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), its unusual and divergent presentation has strengthened the status of COVID-19 as a major public health threat. In this review, we aim to 1- discuss the epidemiological data from various COVID-19 patient cohorts around the world and the USA as well the associated risk factors; 2- summarize the pathophysiology of SARS-CoV-2 infection and the underlying molecular mechanisms for the respiratory and cardiovascular manifestations; 3- highlight the potential treatments and vaccines as well as current clinical trials for COVID-19.

Keywords: COVID-19; Clinical features; Physiopathology; Treatment.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • COVID-19 / complications*
  • COVID-19 / transmission
  • COVID-19 / virology
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / drug therapy*
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / epidemiology
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / physiopathology
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / virology
  • Disease Management
  • Global Health
  • Humans
  • Lung Diseases / drug therapy*
  • Lung Diseases / epidemiology
  • Lung Diseases / physiopathology
  • Lung Diseases / virology
  • SARS-CoV-2 / isolation & purification*
  • United States / epidemiology