Myocardium and COVID-19

Since the new SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus affects a number of vital organs (lungs, heart, brain, kidneys, intestines, liver), COVID-19 is currently considered a systemic disease. The SARSCoV- 2 virus penetrates into heart cells using a common mechanism involving the membrane protein "angiotensin converting enzyme 2" (APF2). It has been established that APV2 is expressed in various tissues with some of the highest levels in the lungs and heart. APF2 converts angiotensin I and angiotensin II into vasodilators angiotensin 1-9 and angiotensin 1-7, respectively, which creates an anti-vasoconstrictor effect of angiotensin II.