TGFB1 and COVID-19: Endothelial damage and pericyte activation in COVID-19 stimulate the release of growth factors such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), angiopoietin-2 (Ang2), and transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1), all of which promote inflammation, fibrosis, and electrophysiological alterations conducive to atrial fibrillation development.