Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 10, 2025

Estimating Bilateral Atrial Function by Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance Feature Tracking in Patients with Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation
08:10

Estimating Bilateral Atrial Function by Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance Feature Tracking in Patients with Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation

Published on: July 20, 2022

1.6K

Increased interleukin-6 levels are associated with atrioventricular conduction delay in severe COVID-19 patients

Riccardo Accioli1,2, Pietro Enea Lazzerini1,2, Viola Salvini1,2

  • 1Department of Medical Sciences, Surgery and Neurosciences University of Siena Siena Italy.

Journal of Arrhythmia
|October 17, 2024
PubMed

Insights

Interleukin-6 (IL-6) elevation in severe COVID-19 patients is linked to temporary delays in heart conduction. This finding highlights the role of inflammation in cardiac events and supports anti-inflammatory treatments.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Electrophysiology

Background:

  • Severe COVID-19 is associated with increased risk of atrioventricular blocks (AVBs) and mortality.
  • Uncontrolled inflammation, particularly elevated interleukin-6 (IL-6), is implicated in COVID-19's cardiac effects.
  • IL-6 may directly impact cardiac electrophysiology.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess the acute impact of IL-6 changes on electrocardiographic indices of atrioventricular conduction in severe COVID-19.
  • To investigate PR-interval and PR-segment behavior during active COVID-19 and recovery.
  • To determine the association between PR-indices and IL-6 levels over time.

Main Methods:

  • Studied PR-interval and PR-segment in severe COVID-19 patients during active disease and recovery.
  • Monitored circulating IL-6 levels over time.
  • Analyzed correlations between PR-indices and IL-6 levels, controlling for confounding factors.

Main Results:

  • Severe COVID-19 patients exhibited significant PR-interval and PR-segment prolongation during active illness.
  • These atrioventricular conduction delays were transient, normalizing during recovery.
  • PR-indices correlated significantly with IL-6 levels, independent of cardiac strain or medications.

Conclusions:

  • Elevated IL-6 in severe COVID-19 is associated with significant, transient atrioventricular conduction delays.
  • These delays may increase the risk of severe AVBs and short-term mortality.
  • Findings support anti-IL-6 therapies for severe COVID-19.
Abstract

Keywords:
COVID‐19PR‐intervalPR‐segmentatrioventricular blockinterleukin‐6

More Related Videos

Benefits of Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy in an Asynchronous Heart Failure Model Induced by Left Bundle Branch Ablation and Rapid Pacing12:45

Benefits of Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy in an Asynchronous Heart Failure Model Induced by Left Bundle Branch Ablation and Rapid Pacing

Published on: December 11, 2017

10.4K
Optimization of Transesophageal Atrial Pacing to Assess Atrial Fibrillation Susceptibility in Mice08:05

Optimization of Transesophageal Atrial Pacing to Assess Atrial Fibrillation Susceptibility in Mice

Published on: June 29, 2022

2.7K

Related Concept Videos

Rheumatic Heart Disease II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies01:22

Rheumatic Heart Disease II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies

The key clinical manifestations of Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) include several distinct cardiac symptoms.Carditis, a hallmark of acute rheumatic fever, involves inflammation of the heart's endocardium, myocardium, and pericardium. Chronic RHD often results from recurrent episodes of carditis. Its symptoms include the following:Murmurs are caused by valvular damage, especially to the mitral and aortic valves. Mitral stenosis or regurgitation is common, with characteristic heart murmurs...
8
Myocarditis II: Clinical features and Diagnostic Tests01:27

Myocarditis II: Clinical features and Diagnostic Tests

Myocarditis is an inflammation of the heart muscle. The symptoms vary widely, encompassing asymptomatic presentations to severe, acute manifestations.Clinical PresentationAsymptomatic cases: In some instances, myocarditis may be asymptomatic, with the infection resolving without intervention. These cases often go undetected unless discovered incidentally through diagnostic imaging or tests conducted for other reasons.General Early Symptoms: Early symptoms of myocarditis are non-specific and can...
2
Acute Coronary Syndrome II: Pathophysiology and clinical manifestations01:19

Acute Coronary Syndrome II: Pathophysiology and clinical manifestations

The pathophysiology of Acute Coronary Syndrome [ACD] involves several key processes:The main underlying cause of ACD is atherosclerosis, a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by the buildup of lipid-laden plaques within the coronary arteries.As the atherosclerotic plaque grows in the coronary artery, it may become unstable due to the formation of a lipid-rich core and a thin fibrous cap. Inflammatory cells within the plaque, such as macrophages, secrete enzymes that degrade the...
3
Acute Coronary Syndrome III: Diagnostic studies01:30

Acute Coronary Syndrome III: Diagnostic studies

Diagnosing acute coronary syndrome or ACS begins with a thorough patient history. Notable symptoms include central, crushing chest pain radiating to the left arm, neck, jaw, or back, along with shortness of breath, sweating (diaphoresis), nausea, vomiting, dizziness, and palpitations.It is crucial to note any history of cardiac illnesses and assess risk factors, including age, gender, smoking, hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, and a sedentary lifestyle.During physical examination, vital...
3
Pericarditis II: Clinical features and Diagnostic Tests01:19

Pericarditis II: Clinical features and Diagnostic Tests

Pericarditis is distinguished by inflammation of the pericardium, the fibrous sac that encases the heart. It can be acute, lasting less than six weeks, or chronic, persisting for over three months. Understanding its clinical manifestations and diagnostic findings is crucial for timely and effective management.Clinical ManifestationsWhile pericarditis can be asymptomatic, it usually presents with characteristic symptoms such as:Chest Pain: The most characteristic symptom of pericarditis is chest...
3
Endocarditis II: Clinical features and Diagnostic Tests01:25

Endocarditis II: Clinical features and Diagnostic Tests

Endocarditis can present various clinical features depending on the causative organism and the patient's underlying health conditions. Initially, the clinical features of infective endocarditis develop gradually, presenting with nonspecific symptoms that can be easily mistaken for other illnesses.General SymptomsEarly symptoms of infective endocarditis are fever, chills, weakness, malaise, fatigue, and weight loss. These symptoms reflect the systemic nature of the infection and the body's...
2