Covid-19 Pandemic: Cardiovascular and Neurologic Im-pact, Early Signs and Symptoms

Abstract

Background: Scientists and physicians continue their cutting-edge work on bacteria, parasites and viruses, responsible for 17 million deaths each year worldwide. The purpose of this article is to review our clinical experience with COVID-19 patients observed in the Cardiovascular Division of Pompidou Hospital (University of Paris, France) and the Department of Neurology of the Eastern Piedmont University (Novara, Italy), related with the impact on the cardiovascular, hematologic, neurologic systems and sense organs. Mathematical modeling for pandemic spreading control (protection versus hazards), proposed by Vienna University of Technology (Austria), are analyzed. Methods: We sought to characterize the cardiovascular and neurologic manifestations, in patients with Covid-19. Special attention was given to initial signs and symptoms in order to facilitate early diagnosis and therapy. Indications of ECMO membrane oxygenation for cardio-respiratory support are evaluated, mathematical models for control pandemic spreading are described. Results: Early neuro-sensorial symptoms like anosmia and dysgeusia are useful for diagnostic, patient’s isolation, and treatment. Angio- hematologic acro-ischemia syndrome and dermatological signs are mostly related with immune dysregulation, neoangiogenesis, vasculitis, and vessel thrombosis resulting from “cytokine storm syndrome”. Acro-ischemia syndrome allows diagnosis and early treatment of disseminated intravascular coagulation, with mortality risks for children and adults. Conclusion: Covid-19 is a prothrombotic disease with a unique global lethality. Strong inflammatory response to viral infection severely affects cardiovascular, and neurologic systems, as well as respiratory, immune and hematologic systems. Fast identification of acro-ischemia syndrome permits the care of disseminated intravascular coagulation complications. Early symptoms like gustatory and olfactory loss are useful for Covid diagnostic. Mathematical models play a significant role in the understanding of COVID-19 transmission mechanisms, structures, and features. It should be of interest for policymakers and for explaining recurrent epidemic outbreaks.