The American College of Cardiology (ACC) has launched a document summarizing the potential implications of the new coronavirus identified in Wuhan, China. This new virus has been called COVID-19 by the WHO.

According to the WHO reports, there are around 93000 confirmed cases across the world, and around 12600 are outside China. In Latin America, 16 cases have been diagnosed so far: 6 in Ecuador, 5 in Mexico, 2 in Brazil, 1 in Argentina, 1 in Chile and 1 in the Dominican Republic. 

In this bulletin, the ACC highlights that the cases diagnosed so far indicate patients with comorbidities are at higher risk of complications, even death, if infected with the COVID-19. In fact, 40% of hospitalized cases have a history of cardiovascular or cerebrovascular disease. Some patients have also developed myocarditis.  

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Irrespective of all public health policies to prevent spreading, it seems reasonable to take further safety measures when it comes to CAD patients in places where the virus has become a dramatic concern (basically China). 

Together with the bio-protection measures, we should also adjust secondary prevention protocols, which would provide additional protection (statins, beta-blockers, conversion enzyme inhibitors, aspirin).

These patients should be vaccinated against influenza and pneumococcus.

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In places where the COVID-19 is not a threat, we should emphasize prevention against influenza by using vaccines, frequently washing our hands, and adhering to all treatments for all chronic conditions these patients could have. 

Original Title:  ACC clinical bulletin: cardiac implications of novel Wuhan coronavirus (2019-nCoV).

Reference: American College of Cardiology.

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