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A case of complete heart block in a COVID-19 infected patient

Faris I Haddadin1, Tala Eneizat Mahdawi2, Laith Hattar2

  • 1Department of Medicine at Mount Sinai St Luke's and West, New York, NY, USA.

Journal of Cardiology Cases
|September 9, 2020
PubMed

Insights

This case report highlights a rare instance where COVID-19 caused complete heart block and bradycardia in an elderly patient. Early recognition and monitoring are crucial for managing this unusual cardiac complication of the virus.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Virology

Background:

  • The COVID-19 pandemic has revealed diverse clinical manifestations.
  • Cardiac complications associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection are increasingly recognized.
  • The impact of COVID-19 on the cardiac conduction system remains an area of active investigation.

Observation:

  • An elderly female patient with multiple comorbidities presented with typical COVID-19 symptoms.
  • The patient developed bradycardia secondary to complete heart block.
  • Pacemaker placement was required due to the cardiac conduction abnormality.

Findings:

  • This case suggests a potential, albeit rare, complication of COVID-19 affecting the heart's electrical conduction system.
  • The virus's capacity to impact multiple organ systems is further underscored.
  • Complete heart block leading to bradycardia is an unusual presentation of SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Implications:

  • Clinicians should maintain a high index of suspicion for cardiac conduction abnormalities in COVID-19 patients.
  • Further research is necessary to elucidate the mechanisms by which SARS-CoV-2 affects the cardiac conduction system.
  • Identifying metabolic and pharmacological risk factors is essential for early recognition and management of conduction blocks in COVID-19 patients.

Keywords:
BradycardiaCOVID-19Complete heart block

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