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A Systematic Review of COVID-19 and Pericarditis
Pramod Theetha Kariyanna1, Ahmed Sabih2, Bayu Sutarjono3
1Division of Interventional Cardiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Morningside/Beth Israel Hospital, New York City, USA.
Cureus
|September 19, 2022
Summary
COVID-19 can cause pericarditis, a heart inflammation. This review found chest pain, fever, and shortness of breath are common symptoms in affected adults, with colchicine and NSAIDs being safe treatments.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Internal Medicine
Background:
- Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by SARS-CoV-2, has led to a global pandemic.
- While primarily a respiratory illness, COVID-19 has been associated with various extrapulmonary manifestations, including cardiac conditions.
- Pericarditis and myopericarditis have been increasingly reported in patients with COVID-19.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review and recognize the clinical features of pericarditis and myopericarditis in COVID-19 patients.
- To identify common symptoms, laboratory findings, and imaging characteristics.
- To summarize management strategies and outcomes for COVID-19-associated pericarditis.
Main Methods:
- A systematic review of case reports and retrospective studies was conducted.
- Databases searched included Google Scholar, Medline/PubMed, CINAHL, Cochrane Central, and Web of Science.
- Studies published from May 2020 to February 2021, reporting on COVID-19 and pericarditis/myocarditis, were included.
Main Results:
- 33 studies involving pericarditis, myopericarditis, and pericardial effusion were reviewed.
- COVID-19 pericarditis predominantly affected adult males (2:1 ratio).
- Common symptoms included chest pain (60%), fever (51%), and shortness of breath (51%).
- Elevated cardiac markers and inflammatory markers were frequent.
- ECG often showed ST elevation (59%), and echocardiography revealed pericardial effusion.
- Colchicine and NSAIDs were common treatments, with good recovery rates.
Conclusions:
- Pericarditis is a significant extrapulmonary manifestation of COVID-19.
- Clinical presentation includes chest pain, fever, and ECG changes.
- Prompt diagnosis using clinical examination, ECG, and echocardiogram is crucial.
- Management with NSAIDs, colchicine, and corticosteroids is generally safe and effective.
- While pericardial effusion and tamponade are less common, they may require urgent intervention.
Keywords:
brain natriuretic peptidec-reactive proteinchest x-raycovid-19echocardiogramelectrocardiography (ecg)erythrocyte sedimentation ratemyopericarditispericarditissars-cov-2More Related Videos
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