Cardiovascular Implications of COVID-19

Welcome to the COVID-19 Page! In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, we shifted gears to meet the educational need as we all are learning more about the cardiovascular implications of SARS-CoV-2. Below, you will find podcast episodesinfographicyoutube videoscurated #Tweetorialsreferencesguest experts & contributorsflutter stars and so much more. For more coverage of COVID-19 related Myocarditis- see our Myocarditis Page. Click the Topics Page button to see our other cardiovascular topics covered by the CardioNerds. 

Podcast Episodes

The series kicks off with Dr. Oscar Cingolani, Director of the Hypertension Center at the Johns Hopkins Hospital is joined by Drs. Amit Goyal, Carine Hamo, and Daniel Ambinder and discuss what is known about the interplay between ACE/ARBs with COVID-19. We also learn tips and tricks from Dr. Cigolani’s experience with telemedicine use with the hypertension clinic. Flutter Moment by Dr. Stephen Lockey (Orthopedic Surgery).

The CardioNerds follow the case of Sara S Covids through her journey with COVID-19 complicated by progressive respiratory failure. Learn how critical care physicians, Drs. David Furfaro and Sam Brusca approach cardiopulmonary mechanics, general ventilator settings, ventilation in patients with cardiac disease, ARDS diagnosis and management algorithms, including VV and VA ECMO support considerations. Importantly, we discuss these issues in the context of the COVID-19 era and how applies to the safety of the healthcare worker and appropriate use of personal protective equipment. Both physicians share tips and tricks on coping and staying motivated as they face this crisis. This episode is broadly applicable for anyone taking care of patients with cardiopulmonary disease. In the COVID era, this is every provider. Flutter Moment by Emily (Pediatric RN).

Click to see accompanying episode Tweetorial by Dr. Sam Brusca

Tune in to hear the Italian perspective from a “COVID A” cardiovascular hospital in Milan, the heart of the country’s epidemic shared by Dr. Gianluca Pontone, who serves as Director of Cardiovascular Imaging Department Centro Cardiologico Monzino IRCCS, University of Milan. We discuss management of COVID-19 patients with underlying cardiovascular disease and cardiac manifestations of COVID-19 including acute coronary syndromes, cardiogenic shock, and myocarditis. Dr. Pontone shares his personal experience in terms of how he prepares himself to take care of patients during this time and his message for all CardioNerds to hear. Flutter Moment by Dr. Nino Isakadze (Cardiology).

We share with you the Iranian experience with COVID-19, a rare first hand report from ICU doctor, Dr. Reza Hashemian, covering the clinical, the societal, and the personal. Flutter Moment by Dr. Edward Nejat (Reproductive Endocrinology).

Dr. Dan Grove is a critical care physician who was diagnosed with COVID-19. Join us as we discuss Dr. Grove’s personal journey and reflections while transitioning from physician to patient, the etymology of the word quarantine, tips and tricks to keep family members safe while in self isolation, and a message to our brothers and sisters on the frontlines as well as the general public. Flutter Moment by Dr. Dani Dumitriu (Pediatrics, Neuroscientist and Pediatric environmental health science)

Follow Dr. Grove’s personal Covid-19 Journey here

Infectious disease experts from the Johns Hopkins Hospital, Drs. Natasha Chida and Saman Nematollahi join the CardioNerds for a 4 part COVID-19 infectious disease series. In this first part we discuss the emerging therapies in our armamentarium. Be sure to stay tuned for the remaining 3 parts in which we tackle advice for the health care worker, the clinical presentation & diagnosis, and the virology. Flutter Moment by Dr. Justin Berk (Medicine/Pediatrics).

Infectious disease experts from the Johns Hopkins Hospital, Drs. Natasha Chida and Saman Nematollahi join the CardioNerds for a 4 part COVID-19 infectious disease series. In this second episode, we discuss all things to consider with regards to protecting healthcare workers and their families as they face the pandemic. Be sure to stay tuned for the remaining 2 parts of this mini-series where we will discuss the clinical presentation and diagnosis of COVID-19, and the virology. Flutter Moment by Dr. Meredith Sloan (Internal medicine, University of Mississippi Medical Center).

Infectious disease experts from the Johns Hopkins Hospital, Drs. Natasha Chida and Saman Nematollahi join the CardioNerds for a 4 part COVID-19 infectious disease series. In this third episode, we discuss all things to consider with regards the clinical presentation & diagnosis of COVID-19. Be sure to stay tuned for the remaining part of this mini-series where we will the virology of SARS-CoV-2.

We are honored to promote the incredible efforts of #GetUsPPE, a nonprofit organization working hard to make sure every healthcare worker is protected. Dr. Michelle Myles, emergency medicine physician shares her PPE story.

Flutter Moment by Dr. Dani Dumitriu from the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic in NYC.

 

Infectious disease experts from the Johns Hopkins Hospital, Drs. Natasha Chida and Saman Nematollahi join the CardioNerds for a 4 part COVID-19 infectious disease series. In this final episode, we discuss the virology and epidemiology of SARS-CoV-2 that serves as the underpinnings for the three prior episodes.

We are honored to promote the incredible efforts of #GetUsPPE, a nonprofit organization working hard to make sure every healthcare worker is protected. Dr. Seth Trueger, emergency medicine physician and digital media editor @JAMA Network Open shares an earnest request.

Flutter Moment by Dr. Sumeet Bahl (Vascular and Interventional Radiology)

In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, we take a look at the association between influenza and myocardial infarction with Dr. Steven Schulman, director of the coronary care unit and cardiology fellowship program director at The Johns Hopkins Hospital and Dr. Rhanderson Cardoso, cardiology fellow at the Johns Hopkins Hospital. Flutter moment by Euri Perio (RN).

COVID-19 Cardiovascular Implications
COVID-19 Cardiovascular Implications, updated 1.20.21

Circulation Video Series:
COVID Updates from the Front Lines

CIRCULATION COVID Team member Carine Hamo, MD interviews Héctor Bueno, MD, PhD at the Spanish National Centre for Cardiovascular Research in Madrid about his experience dealing with the pandemic.

CIRCULATION COVID Team member Amit Goyal, MD interviews Marco Metra, MD, a researcher cardiologist at the University of Brescia, Italy, about his experience treating patients during the COVID19 pandemic.

CIRCULATION COVID Team member Daniel Ambinder, MD continues his interview with Dr. Nir Uriel, MD, a research cardiologist at Columbia University Medial Center, about how they are managing patients during the COVID pandemic.

CIRCULATION COVID Team member Daniel Ambinder, MD continues his interview with Dr. Nir Uriel, MD, a research cardiologist at Columbia University Medial Center, about how they are managing patients during the COVID pandemic.

COVID-19 Youtube Lecture Series

In this high yield review, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARSS) and key principles of mechanical ventilation are discussed including ventilator induced lung injury, lung protective ventilation, initial ventilator settings and titration, and adjunctive therapy.

Learn more about Drs Gage, Higgins, and Lee.

Click to see JACC Publication on this topic by Dr. Gage et. al.

Dr. Pranoti Hiremath delivers a phenomenal review of the current literature and impact of COVID-19 as it pertains to the cardiovascular system from what is known as of March 19th 2020.

Learn more about Dr. Hiremath

Dr. Richa Gupta from Vanderbilt University Medical Center discusses what is known about myocardial injury in COVID-19 patients. Myocarditis diagnosis and treatment is reviewed and a paradigm for the clinical course of late presenting COVID-19 ARDS with systemic hyperimmune injury is described.

Learn more about Dr. Richa Gupta

Dr. Richa Gupta from Vanderbilt University Medical Center discusses what is known about myocardial injury in COVID-19 patients. Treatment for COVID-19 related myocarditis is discussed including supportive management as well as a pharmacologic strategies under investigation that include antiviral agents, immune-modulators, statins, and convalescent plasma.

Learn more about Dr. Richa Gupta

Dr. Deepak Atri discusses the basic science behind COVID-19 with regards to the coronavirus lie cycle, molecular methods by which novel disease was linked to SARS-COV-2, the importance of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2, and molecular basis for emerging therapies (Parts 1 & 2). Drs. Victor Nauffal discusses the epidemiology, clinical characteristics, cardiovascular manifestations and outcomes, and emerging therapies for COVID-19 (Parts 3 & 4). 

Learn more about Dr. Atri and Dr. Nauffal

Dr. Deepak Atri discusses the basic science behind COVID-19 with regards to the coronavirus lie cycle, molecular methods by which novel disease was linked to SARS-COV-2, the importance of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2, and molecular basis for emerging therapies (Parts 1 & 2). Drs. Victor Nauffal discusses the epidemiology, clinical characteristics, cardiovascular manifestations and outcomes, and emerging therapies for COVID-19 (Parts 3 & 4). 

Learn more about Dr. Atri and Dr. Nauffal

Dr. Deepak Atri discusses the basic science behind COVID-19 with regards to the coronavirus lie cycle, molecular methods by which novel disease was linked to SARS-COV-2, the importance of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2, and molecular basis for emerging therapies (Parts 1 & 2). Drs. Victor Nauffal discusses the epidemiology, clinical characteristics, cardiovascular manifestations and outcomes, and emerging therapies for COVID-19 (Parts 3 & 4). 

Learn more about Dr. Atri and Dr. Nauffal

Dr. Deepak Atri discusses the basic science behind COVID-19 with regards to the coronavirus lie cycle, molecular methods by which novel disease was linked to SARS-COV-2, the importance of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2, and molecular basis for emerging therapies (Parts 1 & 2). Drs. Victor Nauffal discusses the epidemiology, clinical characteristics, cardiovascular manifestations and outcomes, and emerging therapies for COVID-19 (Parts 3 & 4). 

Learn more about Dr. Atri and Dr. Nauffal

COVID-19 pathophysiology, oxygenation failure with progression to ARDS, organ dysfunction, basic ECMO understanding and literature is reviewed. ECMO criteria for COVID-19 is discussed along with basic VV-ECMO management and trouble shooting tips and tricks.

Sergio B. Navarrete, DO is currently an Anesthesiology & Critical Care Medicine Critical Care Fellow at the Johns Hopkins University. 

COVID-19 #Tweetorials

Meet our experts and guest hosts!

Oscar Cingolani, MD

Dr. Oscar Cingolani earned his medical degree from the National University of La Plata, Argentina, and completed his Internship and Internal Medicine Residency at CEMIC, Buenos Aires, Argentina, and hypertension research post-doctoral fellowship at Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, Michigan. After completing his Internal Medicine Residency at The Reading Hospital and Medical Center in Pennsylvania, Dr. Cingolani joined The Johns Hopkins Hospital as a Cardiology fellow, where he remained on Faculty after his training. He is currently the Associate Director of The Johns Hopkins Hospital Cardiac Care Unit and the Director of the Hypertension Center. Dr. Cingolani’s research interests focus on hypertensive heart disease and its transition to heart failure. 

Samuel Brusca, MD

Dr. Samuel Brusca received his medical degree from New York University School of Medicine. He went on to complete his internal medicine training in the Osler Residency Program at Johns Hopkins Hospital and is currently a research fellow in the Critical Care Medicine Fellowship at the National Institutes of Health. His current interests include critical care cardiology, pulmonary arterial hypertension, and right ventricular failure. He is thrilled to be joining the Cardiovascular Disease Fellowship at UCSF this coming July. Outside the hospital, Sam and his amazing wife, Becky, were recently joined by their first daughter, the adorable Madeleine.

David Furfaro, MD

Dr. David Furfaro received a degree in chemistry with a minor in pharmacology from Duke University. After college, he volunteered with Americorps for a year working with patients with HIV. He received his MD from Harvard Medical School. From there he completed his internal medicine training in the Osler Residency at Johns Hopkins. He returned to Johns Hopkins as an Assistant Chief of Service. He is currently a Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine Fellow at Columbia University Medical Center. He is interested in critical care, pulmonary hypertension, and lung transplantation. He is also a dedicated medical educator  and a huge Cardio Nerds fan!

Gianluca Pontone, MD, PhD, FESC, FSCCT

Dr. Gianluca Pontone serves as Director of Cardiovascular Imaging Department Centro Cardiologico Monzino IRCCS, University of Milan, Italy. He graduated with honors in medicine in 1997 followed by post-graduate degree in cardiology and radiology at University of Milan in 2001 and 2006 respectively. He is currently in the board of directors of Society of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography (SCCT), and European Association of Cardiovascolar Imaging (EACVI) and chairman of CT certification committee of European Association of Cardiovascular Imaging (EACVI) and chairman of working group of cardiac magnetic resonance of Italian society of cardiology.
Reza Hashemian, MD

Reza Hashemian, MD, FCCM

Dr. Reza Hashemian serves as Professor of Critical care medicine at a large academic hospital in the heart of Iran. He completed his critical care medicine fellowship at Shahid Beheshti Medical University. He is on the editorial board of the Journal of Critical Care (JOC). He in on the frontlines at Masih Daneshvari hospital in Tehran, the country’s top pulmonary public hospital and the main facility overseeing coronavirus patients. 

Dan Grove, MD

Dan Grove, MD

Dr. Daniel Grove serves as assistant director of critical care at Medstar Union Memorial Hospital. He earned his medical degree at Emory University School of Medicine where he also completed his residency and fellowship training in internal medicine and pulmonary and critical care medicine. Dr. Grove is a physician leader in his community and is involved in patient advocacy on many levels.

Follow Dr. Grove’s personal Covid-19 Journey here

Natasha Chida, MD

Dr. Natasha Chida, an infectious disease expert at Johns Hopkins. Dr Chida received her MD from the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, where she also earned an MSPH (masters of science in public health). She completed internal medicine residency at Jackson Memorial Hospital and infectious disease fellowship at Johns Hopkins, where we were lucky to keep her on as faculty. She is a truly incredible educator and mentor to all levels of trainees — she serves as assistant director of the infectious disease fellowship program, co-director of the medical education pathway for residents, director of education for the Johns Hopkins Center for Global Health Education, and course director for the ‘Topics in Interdisciplinary Medicine’ course for medical students.

Saman Nematollahi, MD

Saman Nematollahi, MD

Dr. Saman Nematollahi grew up in Tucson, Arizona. He completed his undergrad at the University of Arizona with dual degrees in Physiology and Spanish Literature. He spent some time after undergrad working in a neuroscience lab before starting med school at the University of Arizona. He then moved to NYC where he completed residency at Columbia. His clinical interests include management of immunocompromised hosts, and his research interest is in medical education.  More than that he is a teacher at heart and is obtaining a Master’s of Education at the Johns Hopkins School of Education and was recently awarded a grant to develop a fungal diagnostic curriculum for residents. He loves to play soccer with his wife and son. He is master educator, appeared on and has authored many important tweetorials (links below in red). He has also appeared on the hit medical podcast, The Clinical Problem Solvers. 

Dr. Steven Schulman

Steven Schulman, MD

Dr. Steven Schulman graduated from Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. He fulfilled his training in internal medicine and chief residency, as well as completing his cardiology fellowship at Hopkins. Dr. Schulman is the director of the Coronary Care Unit (CCU) as well as the Cardiology Fellowship Program Director at Johns Hopkins. His main research interests include acute myocardial infarction. He has won numerous teaching awards from Hopkins residents and fellows over the years. While attending the CCU, Dr. Schulman teaches and guides the next generation of residents and fellows about acute cardiac care.

Rhanderson Cardoso, MD

Dr. Rhanderson Cardoso graduated from medical school at the University of Goias in his home country Brazil. He then completed Internal Medicine residency and a chief year at the University of Miami-Jackson Memorial Hospital. Rhanderson has diverse interests in cardiovascular diseases, including electrophysiology, imaging, and prevention. He is especially passionate about teaching and hopes to have a career in academic medicine. He is currently earning a Masters degree in Cardiovascular Epidemiology at the Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public health and is planning on pursuing additional imaging training at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in the upcoming academic year.

Meet our Youtube Lecture Series Contributors!

Pranoti Hiremath, MD

Dr. Pranoti Hiremath is a cardiology fellow at the Johns Hopkins Hospital.  She completed her undergraduate in Bioengineering at University of Washington, ventured to the east coast for medical school at Harvard Medical School, and returned home to residency at University of Washington.  Clinical and research interests include structural and valvular heart disease, and she can’t wait to start interventional fellowship at Johns Hopkins.

Deepak Atri, MD

Dr. Deepak Atri is a cardiovascular medicine fellow at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston. Prior to this, he was a resident on the Osler Medical Service at The Johns Hopkins Hospital. He received his MD at Yale, where he was a research fellow of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. Deepak’s research interest is in the mechanisms of vascular diseases and their basis in human genetics. 

Dr. Victor Nauffal

Victor Nauffal, MD

Dr. Victor Nauffal is a Clinical Fellow in the Division of Cardiovascular Medicine at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital. He was born in Sydney, Australia and earned his medical school degree from the American University of Beirut. He completed his internal medicine training at the Osler Housestaff Training Program at the Johns Hopkins Hospital. He will be pursuing subspecialty training in cardiac electrophysiology. His research efforts in cardiovascular epidemiology are focused on the intersection of  genetics and cardiac arrhythmias. In his free time he enjoys skiing and playing basketball.
Dr. Richa Gupta

Richa Gupta, MD, MPH

Dr. Richa Gupta completed medical school at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine and stayed on for internal medicine training in the Osler Residency Program at the Johns Hopkins Hospital.  She is currently a third-year cardiology fellow at Vanderbilt University Medical Center where she will also be pursuing fellowship in advanced heart failure and transplant cardiology next year.  Her current interests include post-transplant outcomes, the genetics of tachycardia-induced cardiomyopathy, the sequelae of mechanical circulatory support and applications of cardiac MRI. She also loves teaching the housestaff and medical students and getting them excited about all things heart failure.  Outside of the hospital she loves horror movies, food, travel and good exercise.

Dr. Ann Gage

Ann Gage, MD

Dr. Ann Gage is a staff cardiologist in the Section of Interventional Cardiology at the Cleveland Clinic.  She works as both an Interventional Cardiologist and a Critical Care Cardiologist. Following an undergraduate degree in Molecular Biology and Molecular Genetics at Northwestern University in Chicago, Illinois, Ann received a Masters of Science in Physiology and Biophysics from Georgetown University in Washington, D.C.  She received her medical degree from the University of Cincinnati after which she completed her Internal Medicine residency at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee. Ann then completed her Cardiovascular Medicine fellowship and a Cardiac Critical Care fellowship at the Cleveland Clinic. She completed an Interventional Cardiology fellowship at the University Hospitals Case Western Reserve in Cleveland, Ohio, before joining the Cleveland Clinic faculty in 2018.  Ann’s interests include management of coronary artery disease, cardiogenic shock and mechanical circulatory support.  

Andrew Higgins, MD

Dr. Andrew Higgins is a critical care cardiology fellow at Cleveland Clinic. After completing his undergraduate and medical education at Colorado College and the University of Colorado, Andrew trained in internal medicine at Columbia University Medical Center. He subsequently completed his general cardiology fellowship at the Cleveland Clinic and will begin an advanced heart failure/transplant fellowship beginning in July. Andrew is interested in the overlap between broader critical care and cardiology, including mechanical ventilation and mechanical support. 

Ran Lee, MD

Dr. Ran Lee is a critical care cardiology fellow at Cleveland Clinic. After completing his undergraduate and medical education at UVA and VCU, respectively, Ran went to the University of Michigan (Go Blue!), where he completed internal medicine residency, cardiology fellowship, and an advanced heart failure/transplant fellowship prior to pursuing this current year of training in critical care. He is passionate about the intersection of advanced heart failure and critical care cardiology, including but not limited to cardiogenic shock, temporary and durable MCS, and quality improvement in systems of acute cardiac care. Ran is looking forward to joining the CCF cardiovascular medicine staff this summer! 

Sergio B. Navarrete, DO

Sergio B. Navarrete, DO

Dr. Sergio Navarrete is currently an Anesthesiology & Critical Care Medicine, Critical Care Fellow at the Johns Hopkins University. 

#Tweetorial Creators!

Bryan Broderick, MD

Dr. Bryan Broderick received his medical degree from Rutgers New Jersey Medical School. He is currently a third year internal medicine resident in the Osler Program at Johns Hopkins Hospital. He is passionate about Pulmonary & Critical Care Medicine and medical education. In his spare time he likes to play soccer, watch his beloved New Jersey Devils, and binge watch TV shows with his wife, Mais.

Meet our Flutter Stars!

Stephen Lockey, MD MBA

Stephen Lockey, MD, MBA

Dr. Stephen Lockey graduated from Georgetown University School of Medicine and obtained an MBA from the McDonough School of Business. He is currently a third-year resident in Orthopaedic Surgery at Georgetown University Hospital. He is interested in pursuing additional training in spine surgery.

Nino Isakadze, MD

Dr. Nino Isakadze is a second year cardiovascular fellow at Johns Hopkins. She completed internal medicine residency at Emory University. Nino’s research focuses on mobile health technologies and arrhythmia detection/treatment. She is currently leading efforts in developing digital health interventions for patients with atrial fibrillation.

Edward J. Nejat, MD, MBA

Dr. Edward Nejat received his medical degree from Weill Cornell Medical College and his
Master of Business Administration from The Johnson School of Management of Cornell
University. He then completed his residency in obstetrics and gynecology at New York-
Presbyterian Hospital / Weill Cornell and his fellowship in reproductive endocrinology and
infertility at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine / Montefiore Medical Center. He was partof two Manhattan private practices prior to co-founding Generation Next Fertility Clinic in NYC.

Dani Dumitriu, MD, PhD

Normally, Dr. Dani Dumitriu is a physician-scientist at Columbia University. She spends 20% of her time as a hospitalist caring for newborns in the Well Baby Nursery at the Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital of New York. During the remainder 80%, she leads her team of basic scientists into unraveling the mysteries of the mind as the Principle Investigator of the DOOR lab at the New York State Psychiatric Institute at Columbia University. The Developmental Origins of Resilience lab dissects the neurocircuitry of resilience using both animal and human models with the ultimate goal of reverse engineering health and developing novel preventative methods to enhance resilience during development. Most recently, however, with COVID19-related laboratory shut-downs and clinical ramp-ups, Dr. Dumitriu is on the frontline caring for newborns, including those of SARS-CoV-2 positive moms. Follow these and other adventures on Twitter @theDOORlab!
Meredith Sloan, MD

Meredith Sloan, MD

Dr. Meredith Sloan is a proud graduate of the University of Virginia (Wahoowa!) and went to the Medical University of South Carolina. She is currently a third year Internal Medicine resident at the University of Mississippi Medical Center, and is looking forward to being a Chief Resident next year.
 
Justin Berk, MD MPH MBA joins the Cardionerds Cardiology Podcast Academy

Justin Berk, MD, MPH, MBA

Dr. Justin Berk is an Assistant Professor in the Departments of Medicine and Pediatrics at the Warren Alpert School of Medicine at Brown University. He is also a producer of the Internal Medicine podcast, “The Curbsiders.” His academic interests focus on urban health issues and innovative medical education modalities.

Sumeet Bahl, MD

Dr. Sumeet Bahl received his medical degree from St. George’s University School of Medicine in Grenada, West Indies. He completed his internship in General Surgery at Rutgers University-New Jersey Medical School and his residency training in Diagnostic Radiology at Mount Sinai West-St. Luke’s Hospital. He received his fellowship training in Vascular and Interventional Radiology at the Mount Sinai Hospital. Dr. Bahl has over 20 years of meditation experience, performing research at the Emory University Mind-Body Program and teaching at Yelp. He is a plant-based physician, emphasizing lifestyle change through diet and exercise. He represents NYC Hip Hop is Green, an organization that is aimed at bringing awareness of the benefits of a plant-based diet to the hip-hop community. He has authored several publications in major Radiology journals and international meetings.

Euri Parios, BSN, RN, CCRN, CMC, CSC

Euri Parios is a clinical nurse at the Coronary Intensive Care Unit at the Cleveland Clinic. She attended the University of Pennsylvania where she completed a Bachelors of Science in Nursing. She is a member of the American Association of Critical Care Nurses, with a specialized interest in research. In her spare time, she is a travel nurse and is looking forward to being a part of Stanford Medical Center‘s ICU team this summer!