The Lethal Triad of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), Cardiorespiratory Disease, and Cardiac Surgery Under Cardiopulmonary Bypass

Abstract

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has presented unique challenges to health care work workers dealing with cardiac sciences, more so for so cardiac surgeons. The risk factors associated with increased mortality due to COVID-19 are shared by the patients of underlying cardiovascular disease, thereby making them especially vulnerable to fatal manifestation of COVID-19. This along with potential adverse effects of cardiopulmonary bypass and cardiac surgery on heart and lung dynamics can have synergistic adverse effect on cardiorespiratory system. All cardiac surgeon must give due respect to these three critical factors which, if present together, can negatively affect their surgical outcomes.