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Marked Sinus Bradycardia in a COVID-19 Patient
Carlos Valladares1, Adam Kaplan1
1Department of Internal Medicine, Rutgers Health-Community Medical Center, Toms River, New Jersey, USA.
Insights
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) can cause cardiac issues like sinus bradycardia, even in asymptomatic individuals. This case highlights the importance of monitoring heart rhythms in COVID-19 patients.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Internal Medicine
Background:
- Cardiac manifestations, including bradycardia, are recognized complications of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
- Sinus node dysfunction can lead to bradycardia, a slower than normal heart rate.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report a case of sinus bradycardia in an asymptomatic patient with COVID-19.
- To emphasize the need for cardiac monitoring in COVID-19 patients.
Main Methods:
- Case report of an unvaccinated 33-year-old female hospitalized with bradycardia.
- Electrocardiogram (ECG) monitoring revealed significant heart rate reduction.
- Exclusion of secondary causes of bradycardia through laboratory work-up and echocardiography.
Main Results:
- The patient presented with symptoms of lightheadedness and dizziness.
- Sinus bradycardia was observed, with heart rate dropping to 35/min.
- No other secondary causes for bradycardia were identified.
Conclusions:
- Baseline ECG monitoring is recommended for all hospitalized COVID-19 patients.
- Vigilance for cardiac rhythm abnormalities is crucial for managing COVID-19 complications.
- Further investigation is needed regarding physician response to marked bradycardia in COVID-19.
Background:
The presence of cardiac manifestations, including bradycardia, has been described as a manifestation of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Our case report describes a case of sinus bradycardia secondary to possible sinus node dysfunction in an otherwise asymptomatic patient with COVID-19.
Case Presentation:
We report the case of an unvaccinated 33-year-old female hospitalized due to bradycardia after 4 days of testing positive for COVID-19. She presented with a 1-day history of transitory lightheadedness and dizziness with no other associated symptoms. Sinus bradycardia was recorded on admission, heart rate 52/min that later dropped to 35/min on the second day of admission. Secondary causes of bradycardia were excluded based on the absence of relevant evidence from laboratory work-up and echocardiographic examination.
Decision‐Making:
We recommend baseline ECG monitoring in hospitalized COVID-19 patients, regardless of disease severity, to assess for potential cardiac manifestations.
Conclusion:
Cardiac rhythm monitoring is an essential component of staying vigilant against potential complications. It raises the question of how physicians should respond to a patient with marked bradycardia and when should they intervene?
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