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Moccia F, Gerbino A, Lionetti V, Miragoli M, Munaron LM, Pagliaro P, Pasqua T, Penna C, Rocca C, Samaja M, Angelone T. COVID-19-associated cardiovascular morbidity in older adults: a position paper from the Italian Society of Cardiovascular Researches. GeroScience 2020; 42:1021-1049. [PMID: 32430627 PMCID: PMC7237344 DOI: 10.1007/s11357-020-00198-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 90] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2020] [Accepted: 04/28/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infects host cells following binding with the cell surface ACE2 receptors, thereby leading to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). SARS-CoV-2 causes viral pneumonia with additional extrapulmonary manifestations and major complications, including acute myocardial injury, arrhythmia, and shock mainly in elderly patients. Furthermore, patients with existing cardiovascular comorbidities, such as hypertension and coronary heart disease, have a worse clinical outcome following contraction of the viral illness. A striking feature of COVID-19 pandemics is the high incidence of fatalities in advanced aged patients: this might be due to the prevalence of frailty and cardiovascular disease increase with age due to endothelial dysfunction and loss of endogenous cardioprotective mechanisms. Although experimental evidence on this topic is still at its infancy, the aim of this position paper is to hypothesize and discuss more suggestive cellular and molecular mechanisms whereby SARS-CoV-2 may lead to detrimental consequences to the cardiovascular system. We will focus on aging, cytokine storm, NLRP3/inflammasome, hypoxemia, and air pollution, which is an emerging cardiovascular risk factor associated with rapid urbanization and globalization. We will finally discuss the impact of clinically available CV drugs on the clinical course of COVID-19 patients. Understanding the role played by SARS-CoV2 on the CV system is indeed mandatory to get further insights into COVID-19 pathogenesis and to design a therapeutic strategy of cardio-protection for frail patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Moccia
- Laboratory of General Physiology, Department of Biology and Biotechnology "L. Spallanzani", University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - A Gerbino
- CNR-Institute of Biomembranes, Bioenergetics and Molecular Biotechnologies, Bari, Italy
| | - V Lionetti
- Institute of Life Sciences, Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna, Pisa, Italy.
- UOS Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Fondazione Toscana G. Monasterio, Pisa, Italy.
| | - M Miragoli
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
- Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, Rozzano, Milan, Italy
| | - L M Munaron
- Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - P Pagliaro
- Clinical and Biological Sciences Department, University of Turin, Orbassano, Turin, Italy.
| | - T Pasqua
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Cardiovascular Patho-physiology, Department of Biology, E. and E.S., University of Calabria, Arcavacata di Rende, CS, Italy
| | - C Penna
- Clinical and Biological Sciences Department, University of Turin, Orbassano, Turin, Italy
| | - C Rocca
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Cardiovascular Patho-physiology, Department of Biology, E. and E.S., University of Calabria, Arcavacata di Rende, CS, Italy
| | - M Samaja
- Department of Health Science, University of Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - T Angelone
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Cardiovascular Patho-physiology, Department of Biology, E. and E.S., University of Calabria, Arcavacata di Rende, CS, Italy
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