A recent study from Japanese researchers, disclosed on December 23, sheds light on a concerning aftermath of COVID-19. Even in the absence of evident heart disease, patients who have battled the virus might face a heightened risk of heart failure due to lingering viral presence in their hearts.
The team, comprising experts from Riken, Japan’s esteemed scientific institution, highlights an alarming prospect of a potential “heart failure pandemic” looming on the horizon. They stress the urgent need for proactive measures to mitigate this looming threat.
In a pioneering approach, the research group engineered heart tissue using induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells. They observed a decline in cardiac function upon infecting the tissue with varying amounts of the virus. Interestingly, when the infection level was reduced to 10%, a certain level of cardiac function persisted, albeit with the infection lingering for up to four weeks. This suggests the possibility that some individuals might not succumb to heart failure despite a persistent viral presence.
Moreover, under hypoxic conditions designed to diminish cardiac function, uninfected cells displayed signs of recovery within a specific timeframe. However, cells housing a residual amount of the virus showcased a compromised ability to recuperate, indicating that persistent viral infection weakens their regenerative capabilities.
Hidetoshi Masumoto, the lead researcher at Riken well-versed in regenerative medicine, underscored the potential for lingering viral infections in the hearts of COVID-19 survivors. He emphasized the critical imperative of establishing robust testing systems and treatment protocols in anticipation of a potential surge in heart failure cases—a precautionary measure essential to brace against what might unfold as a ‘heart failure pandemic.’