ABSTRACT
Endothelial dysfunction with subsequent thrombosis and, less commonly, vasculitis has been implicated during the active phase of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-COV-2) infection. However, less has been described during the recovery phase or as late sequelae. Here, we report a case of acute anterior wall ST-elevation myocardial infarction in a female patient with no medical history of cardiovascular risk factors as a post-infectious complication of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Coronary angiography revealed total occlusion of her left anterior descending, right coronary arteries, and tight stenosis in the left circumflex artery. Successful revascularization with a staged percutaneous coronary intervention was achieved. To date, there is not much data regarding the late cardiovascular sequelae of COVID-19 and its possible mechanisms. Prolonged follow-up, even for mild cases of COVID-19, is advised for early diagnosis and treatment of long-term complications of COVID-19.
ABSTRACT
For 10 years, the annual Houston Methodist Cardiovascular Fellows’ Boot Camp hosted hundreds of cardiovascular trainees in Houston for a concise yet comprehensive 3-day training program for new fellows. The cornerstone of the program was the hands-on Skills Academy, which included a variety of timed learning stations that taught surgical techniques, dissection skills, and suturing techniques as well as echocardiography and cardiac catheterization using simulators. This was followed by 2 days of didactics covering essential topics in each specialty. However, that model was upended in 2020 by the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic forced the digitization of medical education and posed significant challenges as we transitioned Boot Camp to a virtual format. In this editorial, we review our experience designing and implementing a virtual cardiology track of the Houston Methodist Cardiovascular Fellows’ Boot Camp and highlight challenges and proposed solutions in the era of virtual education.
ABSTRACT
Acute chest pain is a common presentation in patients with COVID-19. Although noninvasive cardiac imaging modalities continue to be important cornerstones of management, the pandemic has brought forth difficult and unprecedented challenges in the provision of timely care while ensuring the safety of patients and providers. Clinical practice has adapted to these challenges, with several recommendations and societal guidelines emerging on the appropriate use of imaging modalities. In this review, we summarize the current evidence base on the use of noninvasive cardiac imaging modalities in COVID-19 patients with acute chest pain, with a focus on acute coronary syndromes.
Subject(s)
Anxiety/epidemiology , COVID-19/psychology , Health Personnel/psychology , Adult , Age Factors , Anxiety/etiology , COVID-19/epidemiology , Female , Health Personnel/statistics & numerical data , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Occupational Stress/epidemiology , Occupational Stress/etiology , Pandemics , Prevalence , Psychiatric Status Rating Scales , Risk Factors , Sex Factors , Surveys and Questionnaires , Young AdultABSTRACT
The world is dealing with a global pandemic of severe acute respiratory coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), which is the illness caused by SARS-CoV-2, is overwhelming healthcare systems around the world. Although the main clinical manifestations of COVID-19 are respiratory symptoms, several reports have noted myocarditis, cardiomyopathy, arrhythmias and cardiac arrests as COVID-19 complications. Here, the authors highlight the current understanding of the pathophysiology of myocarditis related to COVID-19 and its management.