Multisystem effects of COVID-19: a concise review for practitioners

ABSTRACT

While COVID-19 has primarily been characterized by the respiratory impact of viral pneumonia, it affects every organ system and carries a high consequent risk of death in critically ill patients. Higher sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) scores have been associated with increased mortality in patients critically ill patients with COVID-19. It is important that clinicians managing critically ill COVID-19 patients be aware of the multisystem impact of the disease so that care can be focused on the prevention of end-organ injuries to potentially improve clinical outcomes. We review the multisystem complications of COVID-19 and associated treatment strategies to improve the care of critically ill COVID-19 patients.

KEYWORDS:

• COVID-19
• coronavirus
• COVID-19 multi-system effects
• coronavirus multi-system effects
• COVID-19 complications
• COVID-19 mechanism of injury
• COVID-19 management

Authors’ contributions

GWD, LEG, LZ, CWD, ZS, DAD, SAL, MGC, and EAB wrote and reviewed the article.

Peer reviewers on this manuscript have no relevant financial or other relationships to disclose.

Competing interests

The authors declare to have no competing interests.

Declaration of interest

GWD reports no conflict of interest. LEG reports no conflict of interest. LZ reports no conflict of interest. CWD reports no conflict of interest. ZS reports no conflict of interest. DAD reports no conflict of interest. SAL reports no conflict of interest. MGC reports no conflict of interest. EAB reports no conflict of interest.