COVID-19 increases a person's risk of cardiovascular problems: how common is chronic heart failure in SARS-CoV-2

Gudisa Bereda1

  • 1Pharmacy Department, All Africa Leprosy, Tuberculosis and Rehabilitation Training Centre, Zenebework, Kolfe Keranio, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Insights

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) can cause severe heart problems. This case report highlights enoxaparin

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology and Infectious Diseases
  • Myocardial Injury and Cardiac Failure in COVID-19

Background:

  • Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection commonly affects the lungs but can lead to life-threatening cardiac complications, including heart failure.
  • Patients with pre-existing chronic heart failure are more susceptible to severe outcomes from COVID-19 due to diminished cardiopulmonary reserve and increased risk of myocardial injury.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To present a case of COVID-19 presenting with acute heart failure and discuss the potential dual benefits of enoxaparin.
  • To explore the role of enoxaparin in managing COVID-19 patients with cardiac compromise.

Main Methods:

  • A case presentation of a 60-year-old female admitted with symptoms suggestive of heart failure and COVID-19.
  • Echocardiogram to assess left ventricular ejection fraction.
  • COVID-19 testing via reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).
  • Treatment with subcutaneous enoxaparin for deep venous thromboembolism prophylaxis.

Main Results:

  • The patient tested positive for COVID-19 and presented with symptoms including muscular weakness, shortness of breath, and reduced ejection fraction (43%).
  • Enoxaparin was administered for deep venous thromboembolism prophylaxis.

Conclusions:

  • COVID-19 infection can precipitate cardiac failure and arrhythmias, potentially causing direct myocardial damage.
  • Enoxaparin demonstrated potential dual benefits by reducing venous thromboembolism risk in hospitalized COVID-19 patients and potentially preventing cardiac ischemia in myocardial infarction.

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