Transient ST Segment Elevation in a Patient with COVID-19 and a Normal Transthoracic Echocardiogram

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Infectious Diseases
• Critical Care Medicine

Background:

• The cardiovascular effects of COVID-19 are not fully understood.
• COVID-19 can lead to various cardiac conditions, including myocarditis and acute coronary syndrome.
• Severe COVID-19 can manifest with significant respiratory distress.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe a case of transient ST segment elevation in a critically ill COVID-19 patient.
• To emphasize the importance of careful evaluation before invasive cardiac procedures in COVID-19 patients.

Main Methods:

• Case report of a COVID-19 patient admitted to the ICU.
• Monitoring of electrocardiogram (ECG) for ST segment changes.
• Transthoracic echocardiography to assess cardiac function.
• Enzyme biomarker analysis.

Main Results:

• The patient presented with severe respiratory distress syndrome due to COVID-19.
• Transient ST segment elevation was observed in inferior-lateral leads on ECG.
• The ST elevation resolved spontaneously without invasive or pharmacological intervention.
• Transthoracic echocardiography revealed preserved ejection fraction and no regional wall motion abnormalities.
• Enzyme biomarker levels remained insignificant.

Conclusions:

• Transient ST elevation can occur in critically ill patients with COVID-19.
• Early recognition of this finding is crucial to prevent unnecessary interventions.
• Avoidance of invasive procedures and thrombolytic therapy is recommended pending further evaluation.