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Published on: April 17, 2021
Trying to Survive A Serious Heart Condition in Time of COVID-19
Josip Varvodic1, Verica Mikecin2, Irzal Hadzibegovic3
1Department of Cardiac and Transplantation Surgery, University Hospital Dubrava, Zagreb, Croatia.
Insights
COVID-19 infection delayed critical treatment for severe infective endocarditis. Emergent surgery was ultimately required, leading to a successful patient recovery.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Critical Care Medicine
Background:
- The COVID-19 pandemic has presented challenges in managing non-COVID-19 critical illnesses.
- Patients with life-threatening conditions require timely diagnosis and treatment, irrespective of concurrent infections.
Observation:
- A 36-year-old patient presented with severe infective endocarditis and a large aortic root abscess.
- The patient was concurrently positive for COVID-19, complicating initial management.
- Diagnostic and therapeutic interventions for endocarditis were deferred due to the COVID-19 diagnosis.
Findings:
- Delayed management of infective endocarditis led to acute cardiac decompensation.
- The patient developed symptoms of heart failure necessitating urgent surgical intervention.
- Post-operative recovery following emergent surgery was uneventful.
Implications:
- Concurrent COVID-19 infection can significantly impede the management of other severe diseases.
- Multidisciplinary collaboration is crucial for optimizing care in complex cases.
- Prompt surgical intervention remains vital for severe infective endocarditis, even with concurrent viral infections.
Abstract:
The world has suffered over the past year under COVID-19. Unfortunately, people still are getting sick from other, also severe, diseases. Although the COVID-19 infection is present, patients need treatment for other life-threatening conditions. We present the case of a 36-year-old patient with severe infective endocarditis with a large abscess of the aortic root, who also is COVID-19 positive. Definitive diagnostics and treatment were avoided due to COVID-19 infection. In the end, emergent surgery was indicated due to acute cardiac decompensation and the development of heart failure symptoms, and the patient recovered uneventfully after surgery.
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