Correlation between Coronavirus Disease 2019 and Heart Failure: A Review

Background: The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) led to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, which has resulted in devastating conditions worldwide. In addition to affecting the respiratory system, COVID-19 affects other systemic organs, and in particular, cardiovascular failure is related to the worsening of symptoms and death. Among these, cardiac insufficiency seems to be an important prognostic factor. Methods and Findings: We reviewed the association between COVID-19 and heart failure by searching Google Scholar and PubMed for reports related to COVID-19 and heart failure and selected those qualitatively and quantitatively established. The presence of heart failure may cause increased susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 due to an abnormal immune response, which may aggravate COVID-19. In addition, myocardial injury, cytokine storm, endothelial dysfunction, blood coagulation abnormality, and hypoxemia due to respiratory injury may lead to worsening heart failure. Conclusions: Heart failure and COVID-19 are closely related, and their mechanisms are diverse. Multidisciplinary treatment is required to control the progression of cardiac insufficiency, which complicates COVID-19. Further elucidation of the pathology and establishment of efficacious therapy is desirable.