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Published on: September 2, 2021
COVID-19-Related Pericarditis with Pericardial Clotting as a Hallmark: Two Cases and a Review
Vito Maurizio Parato1, Camilla Notaristefani1, Simone D'Agostino1
1Emergency Department, Cardiology Unit, ASUR Marche-AV5, Madonna del Soccorso Hospital, San Benedetto del Tronto, Italy.
Insights
This study reports two cases of pericardial effusion in COVID-19 patients, complicated by clot formation. While outcomes were favorable, long-term consequences and optimal treatment for this cardiovascular complication remain unclear.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Cardiovascular Medicine
Background:
- Pericardial effusion prevalence and clinical significance in COVID-19 patients are not well-defined.
- Cardiovascular complications are increasingly recognized in severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infections.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe two cases of COVID-19-related pericardial effusion with intrapericardial clot formation.
- To highlight the unclear treatment approaches and long-term consequences of this complication.
- To propose a review of this specific cardiovascular complication in COVID-19.
Main Methods:
- Case report of two patients diagnosed with COVID-19.
- Clinical assessment and imaging (echocardiography) for pericardial effusion and clot.
- Follow-up evaluation at 6 months.
Main Results:
- Two cases of COVID-19-associated pericardial effusion with intrapericardial clot formation were identified.
- Patients experienced a favorable short-term outcome.
- Intrapericardial clot volume remained largely unchanged at 6-month follow-up.
Conclusions:
- COVID-19 can be associated with pericardial effusion and intrapericardial clot formation.
- The long-term implications and optimal management strategies for this cardiovascular complication require further investigation.
- Further research is needed to understand the full spectrum of cardiovascular involvement in COVID-19.
Abstract:
The prevalence of pericardial effusion and its clinical significance is not well understood in COVID-19 patients. We report two cases of COVID-19-related pericardial effusion complicated by intrapericardial clot formation. The final outcome was favorable, but intrapericardial clot remained mostly unchanged at 6-month follow-up. The treatment approach and the long-term consequences are still unclear. We propose a review of this particular cardiovascular complication in COVID-19 patients.
