A Nature Communications target‑trial emulation led by Guo, Wei, Lin and colleagues showed that antiviral treatments nirmatrelvir/ritonavir and molnupiravir reduced the risk of cardiovascular complications after SARS‑CoV‑2 infection. The study used observational data to emulate randomized comparisons and reported protective associations for major cardiac outcomes among treated patients. The analysis emphasizes antiviral therapy’s benefits beyond short‑term viral control and will inform clinical guidance on treating high‑risk COVID‑19 patients. Target‑trial emulation is an observational method that mimics randomized trial design to estimate causal effects when trials are infeasible; regulators and guideline panels may use these results alongside randomized evidence to refine prescribing recommendations. Payers and hospital systems should anticipate updated treatment pathways and coding for long‑term outcome prevention.