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The "Lightbulb" Sign: A Novel Echocardiographic Finding Using Ultrasound Enhancing Agent in Fulminant
Ayana Nanthakumar1, Mali Worme1, Tahseen Rahman2
1Division of Cardiology, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Insights
Fulminant COVID-19 myocarditis cases may show a new "lightbulb" sign on echocardiograms. Ultrasound-enhancing agents can help identify this finding, aiding in myocarditis diagnosis.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- COVID-19 can cause severe cardiac complications, including fulminant myocarditis.
- Myocarditis diagnosis often relies on imaging, but specific echocardiographic findings can be challenging.
- Venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) is a critical support for severe cases.
Observation:
- A case of severe COVID-19-related myocarditis requiring VA-ECMO was analyzed.
- Ultrasound-enhancing agents were utilized during echocardiography.
Findings:
- A novel echocardiographic finding, termed the "lightbulb" sign, was observed.
- This sign was visualized using ultrasound-enhancing agents.
Implications:
- The "lightbulb" sign may serve as a new diagnostic indicator for myocarditis.
- Ultrasound-enhancing agents could play a more significant role in echocardiographic diagnosis of inflammatory cardiac conditions.
- Further research is warranted to validate the "lightbulb" sign in broader patient cohorts.
Abstract:
We report a case of fulminant COVID-19-related myocarditis requiring venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation where the use of an ultrasound-enhancing agent demonstrated a previously undescribed echocardiographic finding, the "lightbulb" sign. This sign potentially represents a new area for the use of an ultrasound enhancing agent in the echocardiographic diagnosis of myocarditis.
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