Hyperinflammation as underlying mechanism predisposing patients with cardiovascular diseases for severe COVID-19

It was already realized early in the COVID-19 pandemic that patients with cardiovascular disease, such as arterial hypertension, have a higher risk for an adverse course of COVID-19, raising the question of the underlying mechanisms.1 Furthermore, when it was described that the viral spike (S) glycoprotein mediates viral entry via binding to the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2),2,3 the question was raised whether therapies acting on the renin-angiotensin system, such as ACE inhibitors (ACEI) or angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs), could affect the risk of infection or the clinical course of COVID-19. In a recent study, both aspects have been approached by using in-depth single-cell sequencing data of airway samples.4
Source: European Heart Journal - Category: Cardiology Source Type: research