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      Inside the heart of COVID-19

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          Commentary on ‘Clinical characteristics of 138 hospitalized patients with 2019 novel coronavirus-infected pneumonia in Wuhan, China’, by D. Wang et al., JAMA 2020; doi:10.1001/jama.2020.1585 Disclaimer: This commentary was finalized on 24 March 2020, which should be considered in light of the rapidly developing understanding of COVID-19. On 31 December 2019, China alerted the World Health Organization (WHO) to several cases of an uncommon pneumonia in Wuhan, the most populous city in Central China with >11 million people. The causal pathogen was unknown. In the initial stages, severe acute respiratory infection symptoms appeared, and some patients also quickly developed acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), acute respiratory failure, and other additional problems of a severe nature. On 7 January, a new coronavirus was recognized by the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) from the throat swab sample of a patient, 1 and then officially named severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) by the WHO. Since then, the disease has quickly spread from Wuhan to other regions. Now, the WHO has declared the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) a pandemic, with substantial occurrences in >100 countries around the world, with cases rapidly increasing at the time of publication of this Commentary. 2 Understanding the detailed clinical characteristics of hospitalized patients with COVID-19 is of paramount importance to identify subjects at the highest risk of (i) being infected and (ii) presenting with a particularly severe clinical presentation which may lead to death. Recent reports from China, such as a study from Wang et al., 3 have demonstrated that old age as well as additional underlying health conditions significantly increases the risk of dying from infection. Importantly, cardiovascular disease, including hypertension, appears to be particularly linked to the severity of COVID-19. 3–7 In a large-scale report from China’s CDC, 7 patients who needed admission to an intensive care unit were more likely to have comorbidities, the majority of which were cardiovascular- or diabetes-associated. Even though the mortality rate remains highly variable depending on the region (currently 2.3% in China, and >9% in Italy or Spain), the large-scale analysis of 44 672 confirmed COVID-19 cases indicated an increased mortality risk for older patients (14.8% for patients ≥80 years of age), and for those with diabetes (7.3%), hypertension (6%), and cardiovascular disease (10.5%). Remarkably, the case fatality rate for underlying cardiovascular disease (10.5%) is larger than for patients with underlying chronic respiratory disease (6.3%). 7 This is somewhat unexpected as compared with, for instance, the 2009 H1N1 influenza outbreak, where immunosuppressed patients were primary affected. 8 As emerging worldwide evidence becomes accessible, studies from international cohorts will help to stratify the risk for more severe forms of COVID-19 for patients with pre-existing cardiovascular diseases. The mechanisms of this association remain unclear. Unquestionably, the disparity between augmented metabolic demand and reduced cardiovascular reserve may represent one of the possible mechanisms. 9 Viral infections are linked to increased metabolic demands by four- to eight-fold when compared with the normal physiological workload of the heart. This is comparable to significant exercise. This, in addition to the possible direct effects of pneumonia, can impair cardiac function. Other possible mechanisms may include high levels of expression of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), a membrane-bound aminopeptidase used by the SARS-CoV-2 virus to invade host cells in cardiac tissues (separate from lung symptoms). 10 In patients with existing cardiovascular conditions, symptoms of COVID-19 appear to be more severe, which might be related to augmented ACE2 expression in these individuals compared with healthy humans—although this remains speculative, as evidence of increased ACE2 in humans is not sufficient. Thus, further understanding of the injury triggered by COVID-19 to the heart and of the underlying pathways is of the utmost relevance, so that therapeutic measures delivered to these patients can be precise and effective, leading to decreased mortality. If we consider the severe metabolic demand and cardiac dysfunction observed particularly in patients with co-existent hypertension, diabetes, and cardiac disease, the use of ACE inhibitors or angiotensin II receptor antagonists might be justified and beneficial. 11 Experimental evidence, however, suggests that ACE2 used by SARS-CoV-2 to access host cells may be up-regulated by these medications, raising questions about the therapeutic use of renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system inhibitors if they promote increased ACE2 levels. Due to the crucial functional relevance of ACE2 to SARS-CoV-2, the possible effects of antihypertension therapeutics with angiotensin receptor blockers or ACE inhibitors in patients infected with COVID-19 have to be prudently deliberated. 12 Reports suggest also that COVID-19 can cause acute cardiac complications. Acute myocardial injury appeared in 5 of the first 41 humans detected with this virus in Wuhan, who mostly expressed an increase level of high-sensitivity cardiac troponin I (hs-cTnI; >28 pg/mL). 4 In another comprehensive case report of 138 hospitalized COVID-19 patients, Wang et al. demonstrated that 16.7% of them developed arrhythmia and 7.2% developed acute cardiac injury. 3 Unpublished first-hand data also demonstrated the development of fulminant myocarditis. In fact, in all influenza pandemics, cardiac events exceeded all other causes of death, including pneumonia. 8 The mechanism of acute cardiac injury triggered by COVID-19 described here might be related to ACE2, as explained before. Other alternative mechanisms comprise a cytokine storm activated by an excessive reaction by type 1 and 2 T-helper cells, 13 as well as hypoxaemia and respiratory dysfunction instigated by SARS-CoV-2, causing damage to myocardial cells. 12 In line with this, inflammation markers, such as plasma high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), as well as levels of cytokines linked to cardiovascular risk, are also related to adverse outcomes and could be used as possible biomarkers of overall increased risk. 14 Figure 1 Bats are the source of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV)-related viruses. SARS-CoV-2 may originate from bats or unidentified intermediary hosts and cross the species barrier into humans. Spike (S) glycoprotein of SARS-CoV-2 binds to the host cell receptors, angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), which is a crucial step for virus entrance. SARS-CoV-2 mainly invades alveolar epithelial cells, resulting in respiratory symptoms. Host factors can also influence vulnerability to infection and disease evolution. Older patients with underlying diseases are vulnerable to SARS-CoV-2 and tend to progress into severe complications. The severity in patients with cardiovascular diseases may be associated with increased secretion of ACE2 in these patients compared with healthy individuals. This figure was created with BioRender.com. Questions also arise regarding chronic and long-term effects of COVID-19 on the cardiovascular system. A follow-up survey (12 years) of recovered patients who were previously infected with SARS-CoV (which has a similar structure to SARS-CoV-2) demonstrated that 44% had cardiovascular system abnormalities, 60% had glucose metabolism disorders, and 68% had hyperlipidaemia. 15 No targeted therapies are available, and existing management comprises disease containment and mitigation on a populational level, including travel limitations, patient quarantine, and supportive medical care. COVID-19 is a quickly evolving public health emergency, having spread rapidly since it was first recognized in Wuhan with a wide spectrum of severity. In early 2020, the WHO believed that it did not expect a vaccine against SARS-CoV-2 to become available in less than 1.5 years. In the meanwhile, protocols for the supervision of COVID-19 patients with heart diseases and/or cardiovascular patients with COVID-19 should be established in detail. Conflict of interest: none declared. Funding Rui Adão is supported by Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology through project IMPAcT- PTDC/MED-FSL/31719/2017.

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          Clinical features of patients infected with 2019 novel coronavirus in Wuhan, China

          Summary Background A recent cluster of pneumonia cases in Wuhan, China, was caused by a novel betacoronavirus, the 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV). We report the epidemiological, clinical, laboratory, and radiological characteristics and treatment and clinical outcomes of these patients. Methods All patients with suspected 2019-nCoV were admitted to a designated hospital in Wuhan. We prospectively collected and analysed data on patients with laboratory-confirmed 2019-nCoV infection by real-time RT-PCR and next-generation sequencing. Data were obtained with standardised data collection forms shared by WHO and the International Severe Acute Respiratory and Emerging Infection Consortium from electronic medical records. Researchers also directly communicated with patients or their families to ascertain epidemiological and symptom data. Outcomes were also compared between patients who had been admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) and those who had not. Findings By Jan 2, 2020, 41 admitted hospital patients had been identified as having laboratory-confirmed 2019-nCoV infection. Most of the infected patients were men (30 [73%] of 41); less than half had underlying diseases (13 [32%]), including diabetes (eight [20%]), hypertension (six [15%]), and cardiovascular disease (six [15%]). Median age was 49·0 years (IQR 41·0–58·0). 27 (66%) of 41 patients had been exposed to Huanan seafood market. One family cluster was found. Common symptoms at onset of illness were fever (40 [98%] of 41 patients), cough (31 [76%]), and myalgia or fatigue (18 [44%]); less common symptoms were sputum production (11 [28%] of 39), headache (three [8%] of 38), haemoptysis (two [5%] of 39), and diarrhoea (one [3%] of 38). Dyspnoea developed in 22 (55%) of 40 patients (median time from illness onset to dyspnoea 8·0 days [IQR 5·0–13·0]). 26 (63%) of 41 patients had lymphopenia. All 41 patients had pneumonia with abnormal findings on chest CT. Complications included acute respiratory distress syndrome (12 [29%]), RNAaemia (six [15%]), acute cardiac injury (five [12%]) and secondary infection (four [10%]). 13 (32%) patients were admitted to an ICU and six (15%) died. Compared with non-ICU patients, ICU patients had higher plasma levels of IL2, IL7, IL10, GSCF, IP10, MCP1, MIP1A, and TNFα. Interpretation The 2019-nCoV infection caused clusters of severe respiratory illness similar to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus and was associated with ICU admission and high mortality. Major gaps in our knowledge of the origin, epidemiology, duration of human transmission, and clinical spectrum of disease need fulfilment by future studies. Funding Ministry of Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, National Natural Science Foundation of China, and Beijing Municipal Science and Technology Commission.
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            Clinical Characteristics of Coronavirus Disease 2019 in China

            Abstract Background Since December 2019, when coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) emerged in Wuhan city and rapidly spread throughout China, data have been needed on the clinical characteristics of the affected patients. Methods We extracted data regarding 1099 patients with laboratory-confirmed Covid-19 from 552 hospitals in 30 provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities in mainland China through January 29, 2020. The primary composite end point was admission to an intensive care unit (ICU), the use of mechanical ventilation, or death. Results The median age of the patients was 47 years; 41.9% of the patients were female. The primary composite end point occurred in 67 patients (6.1%), including 5.0% who were admitted to the ICU, 2.3% who underwent invasive mechanical ventilation, and 1.4% who died. Only 1.9% of the patients had a history of direct contact with wildlife. Among nonresidents of Wuhan, 72.3% had contact with residents of Wuhan, including 31.3% who had visited the city. The most common symptoms were fever (43.8% on admission and 88.7% during hospitalization) and cough (67.8%). Diarrhea was uncommon (3.8%). The median incubation period was 4 days (interquartile range, 2 to 7). On admission, ground-glass opacity was the most common radiologic finding on chest computed tomography (CT) (56.4%). No radiographic or CT abnormality was found in 157 of 877 patients (17.9%) with nonsevere disease and in 5 of 173 patients (2.9%) with severe disease. Lymphocytopenia was present in 83.2% of the patients on admission. Conclusions During the first 2 months of the current outbreak, Covid-19 spread rapidly throughout China and caused varying degrees of illness. Patients often presented without fever, and many did not have abnormal radiologic findings. (Funded by the National Health Commission of China and others.)
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              Clinical Characteristics of 138 Hospitalized Patients With 2019 Novel Coronavirus–Infected Pneumonia in Wuhan, China

              In December 2019, novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV)-infected pneumonia (NCIP) occurred in Wuhan, China. The number of cases has increased rapidly but information on the clinical characteristics of affected patients is limited.
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                Author and article information

                Journal
                Cardiovasc Res
                Cardiovasc. Res
                cardiovascres
                Cardiovascular Research
                Oxford University Press
                0008-6363
                1755-3245
                08 April 2020
                08 April 2020
                : cvaa086
                Affiliations
                [c1 ] Cardiovascular Research and Development Center, Faculty of Medicine of the University of Porto , Porto, Portugal
                [c2 ] Institute of Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences, BHF Glasgow Cardiovascular Research Centre, 126 University Place, University of Glasgow , Glasgow G12 8TA, UK
                Author notes
                Corresponding author. Department of Surgery and Physiology, Cardiovascular Research and Development Center - UnIC, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Alameda Professor Hernâni Monteiro, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal. Tel: +35 1 918413877, Email: ruiadao@ 123456med.up.pt
                Article
                cvaa086
                10.1093/cvr/cvaa086
                7184380
                32266937
                60499a6a-0c87-4159-b04f-da79f395165d
                Published on behalf of the European Society of Cardiology. All rights reserved. © The Author(s) 2020. For permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.

                This article is published and distributed under the terms of the Oxford University Press, Standard Journals Publication Model ( https://academic.oup.com/journals/pages/open_access/funder_policies/chorus/standard_publication_model)

                This article is made available via the PMC Open Access Subset for unrestricted re-use and analyses in any form or by any means with acknowledgement of the original source. These permissions are granted for the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic or until permissions are revoked in writing. Upon expiration of these permissions, PMC is granted a perpetual license to make this article available via PMC and Europe PMC, consistent with existing copyright protections.

                History
                Page count
                Pages: 3
                Funding
                Funded by: Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology;
                Categories
                Spotted by the Scientists of Tomorrow
                Custom metadata
                PAP

                Cardiovascular Medicine
                sars-cov-2,coronavirus,pandemic,angiotensin-converting enzyme 2,cardiovascular system

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