Acute perimyocarditis with cardiac tamponade in COVID-19 infection without respiratory disease. Issue 8 (19th August 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Dalen, Havard; Holte, Espen; Guldal, Anna Ulstein; Hegvik, Johan-Arnt; Stensaeth, Knut Haakon; Braaten, Anders Tjellaug; Mjølstad, Ole Christian; Rossvoll, Ole; Wiseth, Rune
• Is Part Of: BMJ case reports. Volume 13:Issue 8(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-08-19
• Subjects: pericardial disease -- infectious diseases; Medicine -- Case studies -- Periodicals; 610.5
• DOI: 10.1136/bcr-2020-236218
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1757-790X

Abstract

Abstract : The COVID-19 pandemic with its severe respiratory disease has caused overflow to hospitals and intensive care units. Elevated troponins and natriuretic peptides are related to cardiac injury and poor prognosis. We present a young woman with COVID-19 infection with haemodynamic instability caused by acute perimyocarditis and cardiac tamponade. Troponin T was modestly elevated. Focused cardiac ultrasound made the diagnosis. Echocardiography revealed transient thickening of the myocardial walls. After pericardial drainage and supportive care, she improved significantly within 1 week without targeted therapy. The case illustrates the importance of cardiac diagnostic imaging in patients with COVID-19 and elevated cardiac biomarkers.