The Right Ventricle in COVID-19 Lung Injury: Proposed Mechanisms, Management and Research Gaps

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS COV2) infection, is a complex multisystem disorder primarily characterised by pulmonary involvement.1 Although lung injury leading to acute severe respiratory failure is the most feared clinical presentation of COVID-19, cardiac complications in patients without underlying heart disease could also be a feature of the syndrome and ranges from 20 to 30%. 2 –4 Right ventricular (RV) dysfunction (RVD) seems to be particularly frequent (20-39%) in the COVID-19 patient group and often remains undiagnosed.
Source: Journal of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Anesthesia - Category: Anesthesiology Authors: Tags: Invited Editorial Source Type: research