Acute and chronic cardiovascular complications of pneumonia are common and result fromvarious mechanisms, including relative ischemia, systemic inflammation, andpathogen-mediated injury. However, there is only limited published data regarding oncardiovascular desease (CV) submissions in the wake of viral outbreaks. Data collectedduring the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted a number of possible determinants of adverseoutcome in these patients, particularly with reference to cardio-respiratorycomplications.
The risk of death increases substantially after age 60, in men and in overweight
patients. Cardiac involvement, characterized by elevation of cardiac Troponin I and
brain-like natriuretic peptide, is frequent in COVID-19 patients and is associated with a
worse prognosis. Finally, right ventricular (RV) dilatation and dysfunction is the most
common echocardiographic abnormality in patients with COVID-19, at least in part due to a
substantial incidence of pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE). Cardiac abnormalities in
COVID-19 patients include changes in heart rate and cardiac autonomic modulation, as well
as systemic activation of inflammatory processes, with endothelial damage and involvement
of the CV and respiratory systems.
The research program will examine imaging and clinical biomarkers associated with plasma
and cellular determinants of cardiovascular disease, taking into account the potential
effects of COVID-19 infection. This will make it possible to re-evaluate the
cardiovascular risk profile of subjects with cardiovascular diseases.
Other: sample blood
At the time of enrolment, peripheral blood sampling is expected at the outpatient clinic
of the experimental center and the study of the patient's clinical history.
Other Name: clinical history and peripheral blood sampling
Inclusion Criteria:
- Women and men between the ages of 45 and 90;
- Patients diagnosed with cardiovascular disease;
- Patients with diabetes;
- Patients with dyslipidemia;
- Patients with hypertension, myocardial infarction (pre-existing or acute STEMI or
NSTEMI event) chronic stable angina, peripheral vascular disease, stroke or TIA
Exclusion Criteria:
- Inflammatory diseases and/or infections (except for the IMA-COVID-19 group);
- Tumors, immunological and/or hematological disorders;
- Ejection fraction less than 40%;
- Treatments with anti-inflammatory drugs, with the exception of low-dose aspirin, and
antibiotic therapies up to 1 month before enrolment.
Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS
Roma, Italy
Not Provided