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COVID-19 presenting with persistent hiccup and myocardial infarction in a peritoneal dialysis patient: A case report
Dimitra Bacharaki1, Panagiotis Giannakopoulos2, Konstantinos Markakis3
1Department of Nephrology, Attikon University Hospital, Chaidari 12462, Greece. bacharaki@gmail.com.
Insights
Persistent hiccups and myocardial injury are atypical presentations of COVID-19 in peritoneal dialysis patients. Early recognition is crucial for managing these unique coronavirus disease 19 symptoms.
Area of Science:
- Nephrology
- Cardiology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Persistent hiccups (>48h) are an atypical presentation of COVID-19.
- This report details the first case in a peritoneal dialysis (PD) patient.
Observation:
- A 70-year-old PD patient presented with anorexia, nausea, and persistent hiccups.
- Clinical findings included non-ST elevation myocardial injury (NSTEMI) and positive SARS-CoV-2 testing.
Findings:
- The patient experienced mild COVID-19 lung involvement.
- NSTEMI was managed with coronary catheterization and stenting.
- Hiccups resolved with baclofen.
Implications:
- Persistent hiccups and NSTEMI can be atypical COVID-19 presentations in PD patients.
- Potential mechanisms include central nervous system and myocardial injury.
Background:
Persistent hiccups, lasting more than 48 h, have been described as an atypical presentation of coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) in the general population. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of persistent hiccups and non-ST elevation myocardial injury (NSTEMI) as an atypical presentation of COVID-19 in a peritoneal dialysis (PD) patient.
Case Summary:
A 70-year old man, who had been on PD for 3 years with a history of ischemic heart failure and reduced ejection fraction, presented for a scheduled radionuclide myocardial scan. Upon arrival, he complained of anorexia, nausea for 5 d, and unremitting hiccups for the previous 48 h. Clinical and laboratory examinations revealed an NSTEMI plus a positive nasopharyngeal reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction testing for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. COVID-19 lung involvement was mild and was resolved without specific treatment. Myocardial injury was managed by coronary catheterization and stenting, while hiccups responded only to baclofen per os.
Conclusion:
Persistent hiccups and NSTEMI can be atypical presentations of COVID-19 in peritoneal dialysis patients, which may be due to involvement of the central nervous system and myocardial injuries.
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