The global COVID-19 pandemic, caused by SARS-CoV-2, has led to significant morbidity and mortality, with a profound impact on cardiovascular health. This review investigates the mechanisms of SARS-CoV-2's interaction with cardiac tissue, particularly emphasizing the role of the Spike protein and ACE2 receptor in facilitating viral entry and subsequent cardiac complications. We dissect the structural features of the virus, its interactions with host cell receptors, and the resulting pathophysiological changes in the heart. Highlighting SARS-CoV-2's broad organ tropism, especially its effects on cardiomyocytes via ACE2 and TMPRSS2, the review addresses how these interactions exacerbate cardiovascular issues in patients with pre-existing conditions such as diabetes and hypertension. Additionally, we assess both direct and indirect mechanisms of virus-induced cardiac damage, including myocarditis, arrhythmias, and long-term complications such as 'long COVID'. This review underscores the complexity of SARS-CoV-2's impact on the heart, emphasizing the need for ongoing research to fully understand its long-term effects on cardiovascular health. Key words: COVID-19, Heart, ACE2, Spike protein, Cardiomyocytes, Myocarditis, Long COVID.

• MeSH
• angiotensin-konvertující enzym 2 * metabolismus   MeSH
• COVID-19 * metabolismus   MeSH
• glykoprotein S, koronavirus * metabolismus   MeSH
• internalizace viru MeSH
• kardiomyocyty metabolismus   virologie   patologie   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• myokard metabolismus   patologie   MeSH
• SARS-CoV-2 * patogenita   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• přehledy MeSH
• Názvy látek
• ACE2 protein, human MeSH Prohlížeč
• angiotensin-konvertující enzym 2 * MeSH
• glykoprotein S, koronavirus * MeSH
• spike protein, SARS-CoV-2 MeSH Prohlížeč

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has been associated with significant cardiovascular complications, including myocardial infection and pulmonary embolism. This study aims to elucidate the relationship between the presence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in the myocardium of the left ventricle and the levels of IgG and IgM antibodies against the SARS-CoV-2 virus in deceased COVID-19 patients. We conducted a post-mortem examination on 91 individuals who succumbed to COVID-19-related complications. The presence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in the myocardium of the left ventricle was analyzed reverse transcription real time PCR (RT-qPCR) (EliGene® COVID19 UKV/SAV RT kit, Elisabeth Pharmacon), and antibody levels in serum were analyzed by serological assays (VIDAS SARS-COV-2 IgM and VIDAS SARS-COV-2 IgG II tests, BioMérieux). Of the heart tissue samples, 44 % tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 RNA. Our findings indicate that any detectable level of IgG antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 reduces the risk of viral penetration into the myocardium by more than fourfold. Specifically, individuals with detectable levels of IgG and IgM antibodies exhibited a significantly reduced presence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in cardiac tissues (p<0.0001 for IgG and p<0.001 for IgM). Notably, all patients who died from pulmonary embolism had elevated levels of IgG antibodies. The study underscores the protective role of IgG and IgM antibodies in preventing SARS-CoV-2 penetration into cardiac tissues. However, high antibody titers were associated with fatal outcomes such as pulmonary embolism, pointing to the intricate balance of immune response in COVID-19 pathology. Key words SARS-CoV-2, Antibody, IgG, IgM, Cardiac damage, qPCR, Pneumonia, Pulmonary embolism, Heart failure.

• MeSH
• COVID-19 * imunologie   virologie   MeSH
• dospělí MeSH
• imunoglobulin G * krev   MeSH
• imunoglobulin M * krev   MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• myokard * imunologie   metabolismus   MeSH
• protilátky virové * krev   MeSH
• RNA virová krev   MeSH
• SARS-CoV-2 * imunologie   MeSH
• senioři nad 80 let MeSH
• senioři MeSH
• Check Tag
• dospělí MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• senioři nad 80 let MeSH
• senioři MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Názvy látek
• imunoglobulin G * MeSH
• imunoglobulin M * MeSH
• protilátky virové * MeSH
• RNA virová MeSH