Damage caused by COVID-19 continues to be discovered. A study by Louisiana State University (LSU) reveals that there is an unusual pattern of heart damage among fatalities.
Autopsies performed on a group of people killed by the coronavirus point to several heart problems. The University of Louisiana Health Science Center explained the fact.
From the start of the pandemic, it was suggested that the coronavirus could cause myocarditis. This is inflammation of the heart muscle, resulting from viral infections.
However, scientists believe that there is a new “unique pattern of cell death” that leads to cardiac disturbance. The SARS-CoV-2 virus, responsible for COVID-19, was not found in the patients’ heart muscle cells.
What was observed was that their right ventricles were “seriously enlarged,” according to the study, cited by Slash Gear.
New Theories of COVID-19 Heart Damage
The reasons for the enlargement are still unknown, possibly due to extreme stress on the heart. However, new doors are opened for the study of the disease.
“We identified key microscopic changes that challenge the notion that typical myocarditis is present in infection.” The statement was given by Richard Vander Heide, director of Pathology Research at the LSU School of Medicine.
“Although the mechanism of cardiac injury in COVID-19 is unknown, we propose several theories that carry out additional research,” he adds. “This will lead to greater understanding and possible treatment interventions.”