The Management of Acute Onset Complete Heart Block and Atrial Flutter in a Patient with COVID-19
  • Murtaza Hussain
    Department of Internal Medicine, Michigan State University at Hurley Medical Center, Flint, MI, USA
  • Dominic Awuah
    Department of Internal Medicine, Michigan State University at Hurley Medical Center, Flint, MI, USA
  • Smit Deliwala
    Department of Internal Medicine, Michigan State University at Hurley Medical Center, Flint, MI, USA
  • Luay Alkotob
    Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Cardiology, Michigan State University at Hurley Medical Center, Flint, MI, USA
  • Elfateh Seedahmed
    Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Pulmonary Critical Care, Michigan State University at Hurley Medical Center, Flint, MI,USA
  • Ghassan Bachuwa
    Department of Internal Medicine, Michigan State University at Hurley Medical Center, Flint, MI, USA

Keywords

Complete heart block, atrial flutter, COVID-19 infection

Abstract

SARS-CoV-2 has infected millions of people worldwide. Its cardiac presentations include myocarditis, arrhythmias and structural heart changes even in young and healthy individuals. The long-term sequelae of these manifestations are unknown. We describe a unique combination of complete heart block and atrial flutter in the setting of COVID-19. SARS-CoV-2 virulence mechanisms can cause fibrosis in the myocardium resulting in loss of sinus node dominance. The paradoxical finding of atrial flutter and complete heart block is very rare. Prompt cardiac evaluation and electrophysiological testing are important. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (cMRI) and endomyocardial biopsies are the gold standard investigations. Anticoagulation should be administered until atrioventricular synchrony is achieved.

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    Published: 2022-02-23
    Issue: 2022: Vol 9 No 2 (view)

    How to cite:
    1.
    Hussain M, Awuah D, Deliwala S, Alkotob L, Seedahmed E, Bachuwa G. The Management of Acute Onset Complete Heart Block and Atrial Flutter in a Patient with COVID-19. EJCRIM 2022;9 doi:10.12890/2022_003026.

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