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Japanese researchers from Riken, the nation’s prominent scientific institute, have sounded a critical alarm regarding a potential surge in heart failure cases following COVID-19 infections. Their findings, published in the esteemed journal iScience, indicate an increased risk of heart failure stemming from persistent viral presence in the heart, even among individuals without prior heart conditions.
The team’s study highlighted that COVID-19 infections significantly elevate the risk of heart failure due to prolonged viral activity in cardiac tissues, distinct from traditional heart disease development. This persistent infection appears to stem from the virus’s spike protein attaching to ACE2 receptors, which are notably prevalent in the heart.
Utilizing induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells to replicate heart tissue, the researchers observed a decline in cardiac function when the tissue was exposed to a substantial viral load. Even with a smaller viral presence, the infection persisted for weeks, impacting cardiac function. The study indicated that some infected individuals might not develop heart failure, but those with persistent infections faced weakened recovery abilities.
Moreover, the report outlined that infected cells exhibited reduced recovery potential under hypoxic conditions, indicating a lingering impact of the virus on cardiac function.
Hidetoshi Masumoto, Riken’s Research Leader, emphasized the urgent need for establishing testing systems and treatment protocols in anticipation of a potential ‘heart failure pandemic.’ Masumoto stressed the necessity of proactive measures to handle a potential rapid increase in heart failure cases associated with COVID-19.
This warning comes amidst a resurgence in global COVID-19 cases reported by the World Health Organization (WHO), indicating a concerning 52% rise in new infections over the past month. Hospital admissions, ICU occupancy, and fatalities have also surged, accentuating the urgency of addressing the potential post-COVID complications, particularly the heightened risk of heart failure identified by these researchers.
