Nuclear Cardiology and Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Pandemic

The world changed in few months after the emergence of the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by a beta coronavirus named severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The transmission of COVID-19 is most commonly secondary to the exposure to infected droplets. Prolonged exposure to an infected person is related to an increase in the transmission risk. Asymptomatic and presymptomatic carriers can transmit SARS-CoV-2. Cardiovascular risk factors and chronic cardiovascular conditions are prevalent among patients affected by COVID- 19 and associated with adverse outcomes. Besides that COVID-19 has also demonstrated damage to the cardiovascular system with several manifestations, such as myocardial injury, acute myocardial infarction, heart failure, Takotsubo syndrome, arrhythmias, myocarditis, and shock. In this chapter we review the relationship of COVID-19 and cardiovascular risk factors and diseases. Best practices, strategies, precautions, and experiences to manage the risks of COVID-19 in nuclear cardiology departments are addressed.