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Reasons to increase severe COVID-19 courses in heart disease
Among severe COVID-19 courses caused by the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, people with heart disease are particularly common. So far this relationship has only been observed. An American research team has found the first reasons for this connection.
A research team from the renowned Mayo Clinic in the USA. USA Provides important information about the connection between heart disease and severe COVID-19 courses and why people with heart problems are at increased risk for serious disease courses. The study was published as pretest in the journal Mayo Clinic Proceedings.
More ACE-2 receptors for certain heart conditions
Various evaluations have already shown that people with certain heart conditions are often among the severe courses of COVID-19. The Mayo Clinic team has found a possible explanation for this connection. The latest research indicates that in patients with obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, the production of ACE2 protein increases in the heart. It is precisely this protein that SARS-CoV-2 needs to enter cells.
Double negative effect
Normally, the heart tries to compensate for the changes caused by the disease through increased production. However, the increased number of ACE-2 receptors also offers the virus more attack points. According to Mayo Clinic experts, this has two negative consequences. On the one hand, the virus can penetrate cells more frequently and at the same time occupies a protective signaling pathway that normally counteracts the negative influence of the hormone angiotensin II. This hormone increases blood pressure and leads to fluid retention.
The researchers analyzed samples of heart muscle tissue from 106 patients who underwent surgery for obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (MCH). In addition, 39 healthy donor hearts were examined as a control group. “Of all the RNA transcripts across the human genome, our research showed that the most highly regulated RNA transcript in the heart muscle was ACE2,” summarizes cardiologist Dr. Michael Ackerman together.
Five-fold increase in ACE2 protein levels
“In fact, we confirmed a five-fold increase in ACE2 protein levels in the heart muscle in these patients with obstructive HCM,” said the cardiac expert. This is one possible explanation for why COVID-19 patients with certain heart conditions are at increased risk for serious courses.
Does this apply to all heart conditions?
Until now, the effect has only been confirmed in obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. In the next step, the team wants to verify this connection for other heart conditions like high blood pressure. The researchers also suggest that ACE-2 levels in the lung tissue of the deceased be checked with COIVD-19 to see if it is higher than in healthy individuals. (vb)
Author:
Graduate Editor (FH) Volker Blasek
Sources:
- Mayo Clinic: Doctors, Scientists, and Physician-Scientists Connect Points Between Heart Disease, COVID-19’s Worse Outcomes Potential (04/27/2020), newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org
- J. Martijn Bos, Virginia B. Hebl, Ann L. Oberg, et al.: Marked regulation of ACE2 in hearts of patients with obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: implications for COVID-19 mediated by SARS-CoV-2; at: Mayo Clinic Proceedings, 2020, mayoclinicproceedings.org
Important note:
This article contains general information only and should not be used for self-diagnosis or treatment. It cannot replace a visit to the doctor.
