Covid-19 Infection and Liver Injury: Clinical Features, Biomarkers, Potential Mechanisms, Treatment, and Management Challenges Publisher



Sivandzadeh GR¹ ; Askari H¹ ; Safarpour AR¹ ; Ejtehadi F¹ ; Raeisabdollahi E² ; Lari AV³ ; Abazari MF⁴ ; Tarkesh F¹ ; Lankarani KB⁵
Source: World Journal of Clinical Cases Published:2021

Abstract

It is hypothesized that liver impairment caused by coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection might play a central role in severe clinical presentations. Liver injury is closely associated with severe disease and, even with antiviral drugs, have a poor prognosis in COVID-19 patients. In addition to the common hepatobiliary disorders caused by COVID-19, patients with pre-existing liver diseases demand special considerations during the current pandemic. Thus, it is vital that upon clinical presentation, patients with concurrent pre-existing liver disease associated with metabolic dysfunction and COVID-19 be managed properly to prevent liver failure. Careful monitoring and early detection of liver damage through biomarkers after hospitalization for COVID-19 is underscored in all cases, particularly in those with pre-existing metabolic liver injury. The purpose of this study was to determine most recent evidence regarding causality, potential risk factors, and challenges, therapeutic options, and management of COVID-19 infection in vulnerable patients with pre-existing liver injury. This review aims to highlight the current frontier of COVID-19 infection and liver injury and the direction of liver injury in these patients. © 2021 The Author(s). Published by Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All Rights Reserved.