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A Case of Isolated SARS-CoV-2 Fulminant Myopericarditis Without Respiratory Failure
Felix Afriyie1, Emmanuel Fohle2, Sammir S Dekowski3
1Internal Medicine, East Carolina University/Vidant Medical Center, Greenville, USA.
Insights
Fulminant myopericarditis, a rare and fatal COVID-19 complication, can affect young adults without prior health issues. Early recognition and advanced cardiac care are crucial for managing this severe cardiac manifestation of SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Critical Care Medicine
Background:
- COVID-19, caused by SARS-CoV-2, presents with diverse clinical manifestations.
- Cardiovascular complications are increasingly recognized in COVID-19 patients.
- Myocardial injury, arrhythmia, and heart failure are potential cardiac sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Observation:
- A 27-year-old male with no comorbidities presented with chest pressure, nausea, and vomiting.
- Initial investigations revealed elevated cardiac biomarkers and diffuse ST-segment elevation on ECG.
- Coronary angiography showed normal coronary arteries, but suggested cardiogenic shock.
Findings:
- The patient tested positive for SARS-CoV-2.
- Diagnosis was fulminant myopericarditis and cardiogenic shock.
- Despite treatment with remdesivir, steroids, inotropes, and vasopressors, the patient experienced cardiac arrest and could not be resuscitated.
Implications:
- Fulminant myopericarditis is a rare but high-mortality complication of COVID-19.
- Early diagnosis and prompt transfer to a specialized cardiac center are critical.
- This case highlights the potential for severe cardiac injury from SARS-CoV-2 in young, otherwise healthy individuals.
Abstract:
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Several cardiovascular complications of COVID-19 have been described in clinical studies. While those with pre-existing cardiovascular disease seem to have worse outcomes, growing evidence suggests that COVID-19 itself can cause myocardial injury, arrhythmia, and heart failure. We report a case of a 27-year-old male with no known comorbidities who presented with nausea, vomiting and non-radiating substernal chest pressure without respiratory symptoms in May of 2020. Laboratory findings showed elevated cardiac biomarkers and electrocardiogram showed diffuse ST-segment elevation. Coronary angiography revealed normal coronaries but findings suggestive of cardiogenic shock. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction for SARS-CoV-2 returned positive. He was treated for fulminant myopericarditis and cardiogenic shock with remdesivir, steroid, inotropes and vasopressors but rapidly deteriorated and went into cardiac arrest and was unable to be resuscitated despite multiple rounds of cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Fulminant myopericarditis is a rare complication of COVID-19 with high mortality that requires early recognition, treatment and a transfer to a tertiary facility with advanced cardiac services.
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