A Complicated Case of COVID-19-Induced Inferolateral Wall Myocardial Infarction Successfully Treated With...

The treatment of myocardial infarction (MI) in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-positive patients is both controversial and challenging, particularly in a healthcare setup unable to fulfill COVID-19 protocols. In this report, we describe a case of a COVID-19-positive patient admitted with COVID-19 pneumonia treated symptomatically with a non-rebreathing mask, dexamethasone, remdesivir, and low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH). On day two of the hospital stay, the patient developed inferolateral wall myocardial infarction (MI) without hemodynamic instability. He was treated successfully with thrombolytic (streptokinase) with no severe complications. However, his hospital stay was further complicated by decreasing oxygen saturation and rising inflammatory markers including procalcitonin and IL-6, suggesting superimposed bacterial infection. Thereafter, he was placed on BiPAP oxygen, and aggressive antibiotic therapy including tigecycline along with clindamycin and moxifloxacin was initiated. He showed gradual daily improvements and was discharged after a prolonged hospital stay. To decrease the exposure and spread of COVID-19 infection among the healthcare workers, when there is a deficiency in medical staff, and no negative-pressure catheterization laboratory, thrombolytic can be used for treatment in low-risk, hemodynamically stable MI during this pandemic. However, this needs further research.