Table 1: Mechanisms linking infection and

cardiovascular events.

Mechanism

Cardiovascular consequence

Systemic

inflammation

Plaque destabilization

Endothelial

dysfunction

Impaired vascular regulation

Platelet activation

Increased thrombosis

Prothrombotic state

Acute coronary syndrome or stroke

Hypoxemia

Heart failure decompensation

Immunothrombosis

Increased thrombosis through immunological pathway