European Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

PERICARDIAL COMPLICATIONS IN PATIENTS WITH COVID-19: A REVIEW OF RECENT EVIDENCE

Temidayo Odugbesan*, Anita Sangong, Mohamed A Suleiman, Andrea C Barrera Garibay, Syed Zahid Ali, Hina Rmsha A Khan, Jennifer Okon, Abdullah K Mahmood, Mahfuz Hossain, Saria Qaiser, Garima Parmar, Anusha Thalla, Chiedozie S Nzotta, Jessica L Rodriguez, Ghulam M. Humayun and Angel Onuoha

ABSTRACT

The novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) essentially affects the lungs causing pneumonia in addition to various other clinical manifestations. The latest evidence is in favor of the deleterious effects of COVID-19 on the cardiovascular system, with symptomatology including pulmonary embolism, acute coronary syndrome, and stroke. Limited attention has been placed on the cardiovascular sequelae of the disease, including pericardial tamponade, pericarditis, or pericardial effusion. A few cases have shed light on the involvement of pericardial disease in patients with COVID-19. With this review, we aim to collate updated evidence of COVID-19 associated with pericardial disease, while also making links to treatment strategies and highlighting the pathophysiology. On the whole, it is recommended the cardiac monitoring in infected and recovered patients is key to prevent pericardial damage and promoting the long-term rehabilitation of patients. Furthermore, primary clinical studies in the future ought to establish the role of post-COVID-19 pericardial ailments while making recommendations for patients.

Keywords: Pericardial complications; COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; Heart; Review.