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Catheter Ablation in Combination With Left Atrial Appendage Closure for Atrial Fibrillation
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Catheter Ablation in Combination With Left Atrial Appendage Closure for Atrial Fibrillation

Published on: February 26, 2013

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A COVID-19 Patient Presenting With Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation

Ioannis Nouskas1, Vasiliki Holeva2, Eleni Parlapani3

  • 1Department of Cardiology, Affidea Medical Diagnostic Center, Thessaloniki, GRC.

Cureus
|October 14, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) can affect the heart, leading to paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF) in hospitalized patients. This case highlights how systemic inflammation from COVID-19 may worsen outcomes and cause cardiac issues like PAF.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Internal Medicine

Background:

  • Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is known to affect the cardiovascular system.
  • Paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF) is a recognized complication in hospitalized COVID-19 patients.

Observation:

  • A 78-year-old patient with COVID-19 presented atypically with rapidly deteriorating cardiac failure.
  • The patient experienced respiratory distress and worsening vitals, requiring intubation.
  • The presentation was associated with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF).

Findings:

  • The case report discusses potential mechanisms and substrates linking atrial fibrillation to COVID-19.
  • A generalized inflammatory state is suggested as a connection between COVID-19 and arrhythmia.
  • The occurrence of PAF in COVID-19 patients correlates with poorer outcomes due to systemic inflammation.

Implications:

  • This case deepens the understanding of cardiovascular complications in COVID-19.
  • It emphasizes the role of systemic inflammation in COVID-19-related cardiac arrhythmias.
  • Highlights the need for monitoring cardiac function in COVID-19 patients, especially those with risk factors.

Keywords:
anxiety disorderatrial fibrillationcovid-19inflammationintensive care and invasive monitoring

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