Long QT Syndrome (LQTS) is an inheritable condition defined by abnormally long ventricular prolongation and a high risk of fatal arrhythmia like Torsades de Pointes and ventricular fibrillation. In patients with inherited or acquired prolonged QT, a major contributing factor in developing malignant arrythmias is the use of QTc prolonging drugs. Use of hydroxychloroquine in […]
CVD (cardiovascular disease): Pre-existing cardiovascular and metabolic disease are common in COVID-19 patients and they increase the risk of morbidity and mortality1. These comorbidities (hypertension, cardiovascular/cerebrovascular disease and diabetes) are associated with a greater risk of ICU hospitalisation2. Patients with CVD appear more susceptible to COVID-19–induced cardiac injury3. Acute cardiovascular complications: Acute cardiac injury is […]
Despite some evidence of up-regulation of ACE2 by RAAS inhibition, with its theoretically associated higher susceptibility to COVID-19 infection and increased viral load, there is currently no data suggesting a causal relationship between ACE2 activity and COVID-19 associated mortality; therefore, based on currently available data, the assumption of a causal relationship between ACE-I or ARB […]
SARS-CoV-2-related acute myocarditis may present as a reverse Tako-Tsubo syndrome. Endomyocardial biopsy revealed diffuse T-lymphocytic inflammatory infiltrates with important interstitial oedema and limited foci of necrosis; no replacement fibrosis was detected, suggesting an acute inflammatory process. Molecular analysis showed absence of the SARS-CoV-2 genome within the myocardium. This case report highlights an atypical presentation […]
Cardiac tamponade may be a potential symptom of SARS-CoV2 infection This case report demonstrates the first case of COVID-19-related cardiac tamponade. The 47-year-old Afro-Caribbean patient was admitted in March 2020 at the King’s College Hospital, London, UK. Initial echocardiogram showed small to moderate pericardial effusion. Upon deteriotation of patient, repeat echocardiagram showed cardiac tamponade […]
Cardiac troponin I (cTnI) concentrations are greatly increased in patients with severe infections. Standard measurement of cTnI without suspicion of myocardial injury should be avoided This data comes from a meta-analysis encompassing four studies from China in which cardiac troponin I values in COVID-19 patients were reported as well as disease severity. Of the 341 […]
Patients who suffered from STEMI presented a delay of 4 hours from symptom onset to first medical contact, as compared to the same patient population from the prior year. Potential causes to the delays are reluctance to seek medical care, not seeking care at all, or precaution measures after hospital arrival, delaying access to catheterization laboratories […]
