Australian researchers have revealed how COVID-19 could damage the heart's DNA after studying cardiac tissue from patients who died from the virus, as many long COVID patients continue to present with heart problems.
The University of Queensland study revealed deceased COVID patients had signs of DNA damage in their cardiac tissue, which was not found in those who died from influenza.
Researchers conducted the small-scale study using cardiac tissue collected from autopsies of seven unvaccinated COVID-19 patients, two people who died from influenza and six control patients.
UQ Diamantina Institute researcher Dr Arutha Kulasinghe said despite both being severe respiratory illnesses, COVID-19 appeared to affect the heart very differently to influenza.
"We found this DNA damage fingerprint that was very unique to the COVID-19 patients," Dr Kulasinghe said.
"Why this was interesting is that we know DNA damage is found in chronic diseases such as cancer and diabetes," he said.
While the team is still researching what the heart damage means for COVID-19 patients, Dr Kulasinghe said the findings have shown that COVID-19 and influenza affect our organs differently.
It's not your normal flu - that's the big thing here
- Dr Kulasinghe
"We're seeing really fit, healthy people develop cardiovascular problems, so what is it, biologically, that's leading to this?"
Research on COVID-19's impact on the heart has previously been limited, as doctors don't routinely biopsy the heart, Dr Kulasinghe said.
While ongoing research is needed to link the findings to clinical solutions, Dr Kulasinghe said the virus's impact on the heart and other organs raises concerns around long COVID.
Cardiologist and Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute executive director Professor Jason Kovacic sees a spectrum of patients with long COVID at Sydney's St Vincent's hospital, some as young as 20.
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Professor Kovacic said ongoing global research, like the study from UQ, is vital as we continue to learn more about the long-term effects of the COVID-19 infection and how it can be treated.
"I think this study from Queensland, and many many studies going on, are giving us a lot of insights into the mechanisms of COVID infection," Professor Kovacic said.
"The need and the evolution of long COVID in our society is something we need to take very seriously," he said.
"Long COVID clinics are heavily booked - there is a huge demand for this in the community and servicing that demand is a huge challenge."
After the government discarded mandatory self-isolation this week, Professor Kovacic said COVID-19 transmission was certain to rise, and the long-term effects of that change won't be seen for months.
Rosie Bensley
Illawarra Mercury trainee journalist and newest recruit.
Illawarra Mercury trainee journalist and newest recruit.
