Cardiovascular Consequences and Considerations of Coronavirus Infection – Perspectives for the Cardiothoracic Anesthesiologist and Intensivist During the Coronavirus Crisis
THE CURRENT pandemic owing to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been associated in about 10% to 15% of cases with severe clinical presentations that require admission to hospital.
In the cohort of patients with severe COVID-19, the risks of admission to an intensive care unit are high owing to critical conditions such as acute respiratory distress syndrome, cardiovascular collapse, and acute renal failure.The unique considerations of this important infection significantly affect the management approaches to these patients by cardiothoracic anesthesiologists and intensivists with respect to airway management, echocardiography, anesthetic care, and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.
The purpose of this freestanding editorial is to highlight the considerations in patients who present with cardiovascular collapse in the setting of severe COVID-19. This clinical perspective will focus on the mechanisms and management of cardiovascular compromise in these challenging patients. The emphasis will relate to the best evidence and consensus in an effort to disseminate the highest standards for care during this crisis. The provided references serve as a guide to further details for healthcare teams as they navigate the cardiovascular demands of the pandemic at their respective institutions.