COVID-19 - Cardiac aspects.

Viral illnesses such as COVID-19 can cause respiratory infections and pneumonia that may lead to lung damage (ARDS) and even death in severe cases. The most critical cases include septic shock, respiratory failure, and multiple organ dysfunction/ failure that may result in worse outcome. Additionally, SARS-CoV-2 infection can cause cardiac damage and injury even in patients without underlying heart conditions, and may have fatal consequences for people with cardiovascular disease. SARS-CoV-2 infection can cause acute coronary syndromes, myocarditis, arrhythmias, and exacerbation or development of heart failure. All efforts implemented to limit the spreading of SARS-CoV-2 infection and to treat COVID-19 should not compromise contemporary standard-of-care for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. This has to be done by a close collaboration with other specialists including involved in the management of COVID-19 patients including infectious disease experts, pulmonologists, and intensive care specialists. Finally, strategies to appropriately manage cardiovascular diseases in both COVID-19-positive and uninfected patients have to be defined while the safety of healthcare professionals has to be guaranted.