SARS-CoV-2 Infects Human Engineered Heart Tissues and Models COVID-19 Myocarditis.

There is ongoing debate as to whether cardiac complications of coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) result from myocardial viral infection or are secondary to systemic inflammation and/or thrombosis. We provide evidence that cardiomyocytes are infected in patients with COVID-19 myocarditis and are susceptible to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. We establish an engineered heart tissue model of COVID-19 myocardial pathology, define mechanisms of viral pathogenesis, and demonstrate that cardiomyocyte severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection results in contractile deficits, cytokine production, sarcomere disassembly, and cell death. These findings implicate direct infection of cardiomyocytes in the pathogenesis of COVID-19 myocardial pathology and provides a model system to study this emerging disease

Atrial Septal Defect with Eisenmenger Syndrome: A Rare Presentation

Atrial septal defects (ASDs) are common congenital heart defects (CHD). The clinical course in patients without closure of the ASD is associated with significant morbidity and mortality in advanced age. A small percentage of patients may develop pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) due to left to right shunting that impacts morbidity and mortality. Advances in prenatal screening and fetal echocardiography have allowed timely interventions. Nonetheless, some patients still may be diagnosed with ASD in adulthood as an incidental finding or presenting with clinical symptoms such as shortness of breath from right heart failure. We report a case of an adult female presenting with shortness of breath due to ASD causing PAH with Eisenmenger physiology.Open access journalThis item from the UA Faculty Publications collection is made available by the University of Arizona with support from the University of Arizona Libraries. If you have questions, please contact us at [email protected]