Abstract
Since the beginning of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, numerous data
reported potential effects on the cardiovascular system due to infection by severe
acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which may lead to COVID-19-associated
vasculopathies during the acute phase and measurable vascular changes in the convalescent
phase. Infection by SARS-CoV-2 seems to have specific direct and indirect effects
on the endothelium, immune and coagulation systems thus promoting endothelial dysfunction,
immunothrombosis, and formation of neutrophil extracellular traps although the exact
mechanisms still need to be elucidated. This review represents a recent update of
pathophysiological pathways of the respective three major mechanisms contributing
to COVID-19 vasculopathies and vascular changes and includes clinical implications
and significance of outcome data.
Keywords
COVID-19 - endothelial dysfunction - coagulation - immune system - immunothrombosis
- neutrophil extracellular traps
