Pathomorphology of the heart in COVID-19

• Published in: Uchenye zapiski (Sankt-Peterburgskiĭ gosudarstvennyĭ medit͡s︡inskiĭ universitet im. akad. I.P. Pavlova) Vol. 30; no. 2; pp. 40 - 46
• Main Authors: Rybakova, M. G., Kuznetsova, I. A., Azanchevskaya, S. V., Vysotsky, V. E., Vlasova, M. T.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 04.12.2023
• ISSN: 1607-4181; 2541-8807
• DOI: 10.24884/1607-4181-2023-30-2-40-46

Cardiovascular system is a significant target for SARS-CoV-2. The objective was to study morphological changes in the heart in patients who died from COVID-19. Materials and methods. Autopsy material of the heart of those who died from COVID-19 (700 autopsies) was analyzed. The analysis of autopsy protocols was carried out, macroscopic changes were assessed, histological preparations stained with hematoxylin and eosin, van Gieson stain, Schiff’s reagent, the results of immunohistochemistry with antibodies to CD68, CD3, CD4, CD8, CD45 were analyzed. Results. The leading pathomorphological changes in the heart in COVID-19 are acute discirculatory changes with predominant disorders in small intramyocardial vessels. Lymphocytic myocarditis was confirmed in 1 % of cases. Conclusion . Damage to cardiomyocytes in COVID-19 is multifactorial and associated with manifestations of the underlying cardiovascular pathology, changes in intramyocardial vessels due to the action of SARS-CoV-2, and hypoxia due to progressive lung damage.