Report of the Association Between Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome and Severe Myocarditis

Introduction: The people worldwide have been affected by severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection since its appearance in December, 2019. Kawasaki disease-like hyperinflammatory shock associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection in previously healthy children has been reported in the literature, which is now referred to as a multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C). Some aspects of MIS-C are similar to those of Kawasaki disease, toxic shock syndrome, secondary hemophagocytic syndrome, and macrophage activation syndrome. Case Presentation: This study reported an 11-year-old boy with MIS-C presented with periorbital and peripheral edema, abdominal pain, elevated liver enzymes, severe right pleural effusion, moderate ascites, and severe failure of right and left ventricles. Conclusion(s): Due to the increasing number of reported cases of critically ill patients afflicted with MIS-C and its life-threatening complications, it was recommended that further studies should be carried out in order to provide screening tests for myocardial dysfunction. Adopting a multidisciplinary approach was found inevitable.Copyright © 2023, Author(s). This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/) which permits copy and redistribute the material just in noncommercial usages, provided the original work is properly cited.

Sinus bradycardia during COVID-19: Cases report

December 2019 marked the history of modern medicine and a new chapter began to be written focusing on the emergence ofa new disease called COVID-19. Globally, there have been more than 140 million people infected with the virus and more than three million deaths due to this disease, declared a pandemic in 2020. COVID-19, characterized by a dominant presence ofrespiratory symptoms, has demonstrated its capacity to affect the cardiovascular system with the appearance of cardiac arrhythmias, myocarditis, heart failure and acute coronary syndrome;which contributed to the poor prognosis of the disease. This article presents two cases with sinus bradycardia during the course of COVID-19, an arrhythmia described in some of the SARS-CoV-2 infected cases.

Bradycardia and Outcomes in COVID-19 Patients on Remdesivir: A Multicenter Retrospective Study.

Background: Antiviral agents, such as remdesivir, have shown promising results in helping reduce the morbidity and healthcare burden of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in hospitalized patients. However, many studies have reported a relationship between remdesivir and bradycardia. Therefore, this study aimed to analyze the relationship between bradycardia and outcomes in patients on remdesivir. Methods: We conducted a retrospective study of 2,935 consecutive COVID-19 patients admitted to seven hospitals in Southern California in the United States between January 2020 and August 2021. First, we did a backward logistic regression to analyze the relationship between remdesivir use and other independent variables. Finally, we did a backward selection Cox multivariate regression analysis on the sub-group of patients who received remdesivir to evaluate the mortality risk in bradycardic patients on remdesivir. Results: The mean age of the study population was 61.5 years; 56% were males, 44% received remdesivir, and 52% developed bradycardia. Our analysis showed that remdesivir was associated with increased odds of bradycardia (odds ratio (OR): 1.9, P < 0.001). Patients that were on remdesivir in our study were sicker patients with increased odds of having elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) (OR: 1.03, P < 0.001), elevated white blood cell (WBC) on admission (OR: 1.06, P < 0.001), and increased length of hospital stay (OR: 1.02, P = 0.002). However, remdesivir was associated with decreased odds of mechanical ventilation (OR: 0.53, P < 0.001). In the sub-group analysis of patients that received remdesivir, bradycardia was associated with reduced mortality risk (hazard ratio (HR): 0.69, P = 0.002). Conclusions: Our study showed that remdesivir was associated with bradycardia in COVID-19 patients. However, it decreased the odds of being on a ventilator, even in patients with increased inflammatory markers on admission. Furthermore, patients on remdesivir that developed bradycardia had no increased risk of death. Clinicians should not withhold remdesivir from patients at risk of developing bradycardia because bradycardia in such patients was not found to worsen the clinical outcome.

Paxlovid-Induced Symptomatic Bradycardia and Syncope.

Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir/ritonavir) is a game changer in the fight against COVID-19 due to its ease of administration and significant benefits of reducing progression to severe COVID-19, hospitalization, and death. Cardiac adverse events such as bradycardia and syncope are not known with this medication. We report a case of a 71-year-old patient who developed symptomatic bradycardia, syncopal episodes, and sinus pause after taking Paxlovid. Discontinuing medication and intravenous atropine helped to reverse the bradycardia and symptoms promptly. She did not require a pacemaker. We would like to report this possible association between Paxlovid and bradycardia. Until further information or studies are available, it is advised to promptly discontinue Paxlovid after any evidence of bradycardia and closely monitor for at least 40 hours in a hospital setting. The reported half-life (t 1/2) of the medication is 6.05 ± 1.79 hours and using 8 hours as a reference for the upper limit of t 1/2, around 97 % of the medication should be cleared off in about 40 hours (five half-lives).

Is Remdesivir-Induced Symptomatic Bradycardia Persistent? A Two Case Report of COVID-19 Infection

As of May 2022, a total of over 528 million cases of coronavirus 19 disease (COVID-19) worldwide with over 6 million deaths. Remdesivir is a broad-spectrum antiviral medication approved worldwide;it acts by inhibiting the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase, used for moderate-to-severe COVID-19 which requires supplemental oxygen but not intubation. Not shown to improve mortality but shorten the recovery time, especially if given within the first 10 days of symptom initiation. Despite its worldwide use, its cardiovascular safety profile has not been determined as yet. Herein, we report two cases of COVID-19 infection who develop symptomatic bradycardia on a 5-day course of remdesivir.Copyright © 2022 Annals of Clinical Cardiology Published by Wolters Kluwer - Medknow.

Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) Cannula Stimulation of the Carotid Sinus Causing Bradycardic Pauses in a Patient With COVID-19.

Veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VV-ECMO) cannulation is a potential cause of episodic bradycardia during an intensive care course because of the proximal cannula insertion site being in the vicinity of the carotid sinus. Herein, we report the case of episodic bradycardia throughout a multi-week intensive care stay of a VV-ECMO recipient due to a severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection that did not emerge for the rest of the patient's hospitalization after decannulation.

Remdesivir treatment and clinical outcome in non-severe hospitalized COVID-19 patients: a propensity score matching multicenter Italian hospital experience.

INTRODUCTION: Remdesivir exerts positive effects on clinical improvement, even though it seems not to affect mortality among COVID-19 patients; moreover, it was associated with the occurence of marked bradycardia. METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated 989 consecutive patients with non-severe COVID-19 (SpO2 ≥ 94% on room air) admitted from October 2020 to July 2021 at five Italian hospitals. Propensity score matching allowed to obtain a comparable control group. Primary endpoints were bradycardia onset (heart rate < 50 bpm), acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) in need of intubation and mortality. RESULTS: A total of 200 patients (20.2%) received remdesivir, while 789 standard of care (79.8%). In the matched cohorts, severe ARDS in need of intubation was experienced by 70 patients (17.5%), significantly higher in the control group (68% vs. 31%; p < 0.0001). Conversely, bradycardia, experienced by 53 patients (12%), was significantly higher in the remdesivir subgroup (20% vs. 1.1%; p < 0.0001). During follow-up, all-cause mortality was 15% (N = 62), significantly higher in the control group (76% vs. 24%; log-rank p < 0.0001), as shown at the Kaplan-Meier (KM) analysis. KM furthermore showed a significantly higher risk of severe ARDS in need of intubation among controls (log-rank p < 0.001), while an increased risk of bradycardia onset in the remdesivir group (log-rank p < 0.001). Multivariable logistic regression showed a protective role of remdesivir for both ARDS in need of intubation (OR 0.50, 95%CI 0.29-0.85; p = 0.01) and mortality (OR 0.18, 95%CI 0.09-0.39; p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Remdesivir treatment emerged as associated with reduced risk of severe acute respiratory distress syndrome in need of intubation and mortality. Remdesivir-induced bradycardia was not associated with worse outcome.

The Effect Of Rhabdomyomas On Underlying Cardiomyopathy: A Case Report

Case Presentation: Term male infant born to SARS-CoV-2 positive mother with infant testing negative. ECG for perinatal bradycardia revealed ventricular pre-excitation. Echocardiogram showed asymmetric LV hypertrophy with prominent trabeculations, subaortic narrowing with no pressure gradient, and normal biventricular systolic function. Rapid increase in RV pressure estimates and NT-proBNP in first week if life concerning for diastolic dysfunction. Anti-arrhythmic therapy initiated for SVT with subsequent resolution. Later, developed progressive LV dilation and systolic dysfunction. Myocardium showed regions resembling non-compaction and others concerning for infiltrative process. Cardiac MRI showed no obvious tumors, but rhabdomyomas could not be ruled out given similar appearance to myocardium. Due to worsening heart failure, everolimus therapy initiated to target potential rhabdomyomas while awaiting genetic testing for tuberous sclerosis. Subaortic narrowing and LV hypertrophy improved within days, and LV appearance became more consistent with non-compaction. Genetic testing revealed a TSC2 gene variant consistent with tuberous sclerosis. Systolic function improved, and patient discharged on afterload reduction. Echocardiogram 6 months post-discharge shows continued LV dilation and mild systolic dysfunction. Discussion(s): Although outflow obstruction and arrhythmias are common with cardiac rhabdomyomas and can cause dysfunction, our patient developed progressive dysfunction in the absence of outflow tract gradient or prolonged arrhythmia. As rhabdomyomas subsided, it became clearer that he had an underlying cardiomyopathy. We suspect that rhabdomyomas in the setting of abnormal myocardium led to abnormalities in myocardial contractility and compliance causing combined systolic and diastolic dysfunction. After complete resolution of rhabdomyomas, cardiac function has improved. However, he continues to have ventricular dilation and mild dysfunction attributable to cardiomyopathy. It is unlikely that mother's SARS-CoV-2 infection played a role as infant tested negative and clinical picture was not consistent with myocarditis.

Atrio-Ventricular Conduction Abnormalities in Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children

Purpose of study Since mid-April 2020 in Europe and North America, clusters of pediatric cases with a newly described severe systemic inflammatory response with shock have appeared. Patients had persistent fevers >38.5 C, hypotension, features of myocardial dysfunction, coagulopathy, gastrointestinal symptoms, rash, and elevated inflammatory markers without other causes of infection. The World Health Organization, Centers for Disease Control, and Royal College of Paediatrics associated these symptoms with SARS-CoV-2 as multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C). Cardiac manifestations include coronary artery aneurysms, left ventricular systolic dysfunction evidenced by elevation of troponin-T (TnT) and pro-B-type naturietic peptide (proBNP), and electrocardiogram (ECG) abnormalities. We report the clinical course of three children with MIS-C while focusing on the unique atrioventricular (AV) conduction abnormalities. Case #1:19-year-old previously healthy Hispanic male presented with abdominal pain, fever, and non-bloody diarrhea for three days. He was febrile and hypotensive (80/47 mmHg) requiring fluid resuscitation. Symptoms, lab findings, and a positive COVID-19 antibody test were consistent with MIS-C. Methylprednisolone, intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG), and enoxaparin were started. He required epinephrine for shock and high flow nasal cannula for respiratory distress. Initial echocardiogram demonstrated a left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) of 40% with normal appearing coronaries. Troponin and proBNP were 0.41 ng/mL and proBNP 15,301 pg/mL respectively. ECG showed an incomplete right bundle branch block. He eventually became bradycardic to the 30s-50s and cardiac tracing revealed a complete AV block (figure 1a). Isoproterenol, a B1 receptor agonist, supported the severe bradycardia until the patient progressed to a type 2 second degree AV block (figure 1b). A second dose of IVIG was administered improving the rhythm to a type 1 second degree AV block. An IL-6 inhibitor, tocilizumab was given as the rhythm would not improve, and the patient soon converted to a first-degree AV block. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging showed septal predominant left ventricular hypertrophy and subepicardial enhancement along the basal inferior/anteroseptal walls typical for myocarditis. Case #2: 9-year-old previously healthy Hispanic male presented after three days of daily fevers, headaches, myalgias, diffuse abdominal pain, and ageusia. He was febrile, tachycardic, and hypotensive (68/39 mmHg). Hypotension of 50s/20s mmHg required 3 normal saline boluses of 20 ml/kg and initiation of an epinephrine drip. Severe hypoxia required endotracheal intubation. After the MIS-C diagnosis was made, he was treated with IVIG, mehtylprednisolone, enoxaparin, aspirin, and ceftriaxone. Due to elevated inflammatory markers by day 4 and patient's illness severity, a 7-day course of anakinra was initiated. Initial echocardiogram showed mild tricuspid and mitral regurgitation with a LVEF of 35-40%. Despite anti-inflammatory therapy, troponin and proBNP were 0.33 ng/mL and BNP of 25,335 pg/mL. A second echocardiogram confirmed poor function so milrinone was started. Only, after two doses of anakinra, LVEF soon normalized. Despite that, he progressively became bradycardic to the 50's. QTc was prolonged to 545 ms and worsened to a max of 592 ms. The aforementioned therapies were continued, and the bradycardia and QTc improved to 405 ms. Patient #3: 9-year-old African American male presented with four days of right sided abdominal pain, constipation, and non-bilious non-bloody emesis. He had a negative COVID test and unremarkable ultrasound of the appendix days prior. His history, elevated inflammatory markers, and positive COVID- 19 antibody were indicative of MIS-C. He was started on the appropriate medication regimen. Initial ECG showed sinus rhythm with normal intervals and echocardiogram was unremarkable. Repeat imaging by day three showed a decreased LVEF of 50%. ECG had since changed to a right bundle branch block. Anakinra as started and steroid dosing was increased. By day 5, he became bradycardic to the 50s and progressed to a junctional cardiac rhythm. Cardiac function normalized by day 7, and anakinra was subsequently stopped. Thereafter, heart rates ranged from 38-48 bpm requiring transfer to the pediatric cardiac intensive care unit for better monitoring and potential isoproterenol infusion. He remained well perfused, with continued medical management, heart rates improved. Methods used Retrospective Chart Review. Summary of results Non-specific T-wave, ST segment changes, and premature atrial or ventricular beats are the most often noted ECG anomalies. All patients initially had normal ECGs but developed bradycardia followed by either PR prolongation or QTc elongation. Two had mild LVEF dysfunction prior to developing third degree heart block and/or a junctional escape rhythm;one had moderate LVEF dysfunction that normalized before developing a prolonged QTc. Inflammatory and cardiac markers along with coagulation factors were the highest early in disease course, peak BNP occurred at approximately hospital day 3-4, and patient's typically had their lowest LVEF at day 5-6. Initial ECGs were benign with PR intervals below 200 milliseconds (ms). Collectively the length of time from initial symptom presentation till when ECG abnormalities began tended to be at day 8-9. Patients similarly developed increased QTc intervals later in the hospitalization. When comparing with the CRP and BNP trends, it appeared that the ECG changes (including PR and QTc elongation) occurred after the initial hyperinflammatory response. Conclusions Although the mechanism for COVID-19 induced heart block continues to be studied, it is suspected to be secondary to inflammation and edema of the conduction tissue. Insufficiency of the coronary arterial supply to the AV node and rest of the conduction system also seems to play a role. Although our patients had normal ECG findings, two developed bundle branch blocks prior to more complex rhythms near the peak of inflammatory marker values. Based on the premise that MIS-C is a hyperinflammatory response likely affecting conduction tissue, our group was treated with different regimens of IVIG, steroids, anakinra, and/or tocilizumab. Anakinra, being an IL-1 inhibitor, has been reported to dampen inflammation in viral myocarditis and tocilizumab has improved LVEF in rheumatoid arthritis patients. Based on our small case series, patient's with MISC can have AV nodal conduction abnormalities. The usual cocktail of IVIG and steroids helps;however, when there are more serious cases of cardiac inflammation, adjuvant immunosuppresants like anakinra and toculizumab can be beneficial. (Figure Presented).

Monitored Anesthesia Care in Uterine Artery Embolization for Leiomyomas and Adenomyosis

Background: Patients undergoing an interventional radiology procedure report some degree of anxiety. Therefore, procedure-related anxiety needs to be managed. The aim of our study was to investigate patient satisfaction with monitored anesthesia care (MAC) for uterine artery embolization (UAE)-related procedural anxiety in symptomatic uterine fibroids or adenomyosis. Method(s): Between May 2021 and June 2022, 36 patients with symptomatic fibroids or adenomyosis underwent UAE with MAC. Follow-up evaluations consisted of clinical symptoms, degree of satisfaction with MAC in UAE, and complications. Result(s): MAC in UAE was successfully performed in all patients. UAE significantly reduced patients' complaints such as bleeding and pain: the scores for bleeding and pain were significantly reduced after 3 months of UAE compared with those before UAE, indicating the effectiveness of UAE. The mean score of satisfaction with MAC in UAE was 4.3 points, meaning that 94.4% of women were satisfied or very satisfied. No major complications were observed. Conclusion(s): MAC in UAE for symptomatic uterine fibroids or adenomyosis can be emotionally effective and safe for patients who are anxious about the procedure.Copyright © 2023 The Author(s).

Analysis of adverse reactions of lopinavir/ritonavir in the treatment of coronavirus disease 2019.

Objective: To explore the occurrence of adverse reactions of lopinavir/ritonavir (LPV/r) in the treatment of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Method(s): The medical records of patients with COVID-19 who received LPV/r treatment in the Fourth People's Hospital of Nanning from January 24th to February 6th, 2020 were collected and the occurrence of adverse events during the treatment was retrospectively analyzed. According to the 5 principles of adverse drug reaction correlation evaluation proposed in the Handbook of Adverse Drug Reaction Reporting and Monitoring in China, adverse events that were certainly related, probably related, and possibly related to LPV/r were defined as LPV/r-related adverse reactions. The incidence of adverse reactions was calculated and the main clinical manifestations and severity of adverse reactions [grade 1 (mild), grade 2 (moderate), grade 3 (severe), grade 4 (life-threatening), and grade 5 (death);grade 3-5 was defined as severe adverse reaction] were analyzed. Result(s): A total of 28 patients were enrolled in the analysis, including 13 males and 15 females, aged from 18 to 70 years with an average age of 44 years. The courses of treatment with LPV/r of patients ranged from 2 to 12 days, with a median course of 6 days. Of the 28 patients, 18 developed LPV/r related adverse reactions, with an incidence of 64.3%. The LPV/r-related adverse reactions in 18 patients included gastrointestinal reactions in 14 patients (grade 1 in 13 patients and grade 2 in 1 patient), bradycardia in 2 patients (grade 2 in both patients), and acute hemolysis in 1 patient (grade 3), and liver injury in 1 patient (grade 3), and no grade 4 or 5 adverse reactions occurred. The incidence of severe adverse reactions was 7.1%. Thirteen patients with grade 1 adverse reactions did not affect the treatment, and the symptoms were relieved after 2-7 days of continuous medication. LPV/r was discontinued in 5 patients with grade 2 or 3 adverse reactions, 4 of whom received symptomatic treatment, and the symptoms disappeared 2-10 days later. Conclusion(s): The incidence of adverse reactions in COVID-19 patients treated with LPV/r in our hospital was 64.3%. LPV/r mainly leads to mild gastrointestinal reactions and can also lead to bradycardia, acute hemolysis, and liver injury. Blood routine, liver function, and electrocardiogram need to be monitored during the treatment.Copyright © 2020 by the Chinese Medical Association.

Bradycardia associated with Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children with COVID-19: a case series.

BACKGROUND: Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) is a rare life-threatening clinical condition that can develop in patients younger than 21 years of age with a history of infection/exposure to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The cardiovascular system is a main target of the inflammatory process that frequently causes myocardial dysfunction, myopericarditis, coronary artery dilation, hypotension, and shock. Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children-associated myocarditis is usually characterized by fever, tachycardia, non-specific electrocardiogram abnormalities, and left ventricular dysfunction, but serious tachyarrhythmias may also occur. We report two cases of patients with MIS-C-associated myocarditis who developed severe bradycardia. CASE SUMMARY: Two female adolescents with recent history of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) were initially hospitalized for long-lasting high-grade fever and severe gastrointestinal symptoms. Both patients were diagnosed with MIS-C-associated myocarditis for elevation of markers of myocardial injury (mean highly-sensitive cardiac troponin 2663 pg/mL, mean N-terminal-pro-brain natriuretic peptide 5097 pg/mL) and left ventricular dysfunction, which was subsequently confirmed by cardiac magnetic resonance. Both patients developed a severe sinus bradycardia (lowest heart rate 36 and 42, respectively), which appeared refractory to the treatment with intravenous Methylprednisolone and Immunoglobulins, despite a clinical and biochemical improvement. The use of Anakinra (a recombinant interleukin-1 receptor antagonist), was associated with a rapid improvement of cardiac rhythm and excellent clinical outcome at 6 months of follow-up. DISCUSSION: In patients with MIS-C-associated myocarditis, a continuous cardiac monitoring is mandatory to promptly identify potential conduction abnormalities. Adolescents may present bradycardia as a rhythm complication. We experienced a rapid recovery after treatment with Anakinra, to be considered as add-on therapy in cases refractory to standard anti-inflammatory treatment.

Keeping up the Pace: A Case of Complete Heart Block.

We present the case of a 56-year-old lady who presented with symptomatic bradycardia and was outsourced for permanent pacemaker implantation. The discussion that follows highlights the growing need for permanent pacemakers globally and in Trinidad and Tobago, as well as the stepwise approach needed for investigating patients with symptomatic bradycardia. Finally, recommendations are made for policy changes needed at the national level.

The Clinical Utility of Relative Bradycardia for Identifying Cases of Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pneumonia: A Retrospective Pneumonia Cohort Study.

Objective Both coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pneumonia and relative bradycardia are common conditions among clinicians; however, the association between these has not been well studied. The present study assessed whether or not relative bradycardia on admission was more predominant in patients with COVID-19 pneumonia than in those with other infectious pneumonia. Methods For this single-center, retrospective cohort study, we collected data through electronic medical records and examined the occurrence of relative bradycardia on admission. We used logistic regression analyses to compare outcomes with and without relative bradycardia on admission. The primary outcome was COVID-19 pneumonia. The secondary outcome was hypoxemia during the hospital stay. We performed multivariable regression with adjusting for the effects of age, sex, healthcare-associated pneumonia, body mass index, Charlson comorbidity index, and bilateral infiltration on computed tomography (CT) as confounding factors. Patients Adult patients with new-onset hospitalized infectious pneumonia confirmed by CT between January 1, 2020, and July 31, 2021. Results This study included 395 participants. On admission, 87 (22.0%) participants exhibited relative bradycardia, and 302 (76.5%) participants had COVID-19. Relative bradycardia on admission was not significantly associated with COVID-19 pneumonia [adjusted odds ratio (OR) 1.32; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.49-3.54, p=0.588] but was associated with hypoxemia (adjusted OR 4.74; 95%CI 2.64-8.52, p<0.001). Conclusion The study results showed that relative bradycardia on admission was not associated with COVID-19 in cases of infectious pneumonia. However, relative bradycardia may be associated with the incidence of hypoxemia in pneumonia.

Possible nirmatrelvir/ritonavir-induced bradycardia in a patient with asymptomatic COVID-19.

COVID-19 emerged in 2019 and was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization in March 2020. COVID-19 is highly transmissible and can lead to bilateral pneumonia with severe respiratory failure. COVID-19 has led to more than 6.5 million deaths worldwide. The significant morbidity and mortality due to COVID-19 have resulted in the development of treatment modalities, such as novel antivirals, to reduce hospitalizations and progression of disease. In 2021, the US Food and Drug Administration authorized nirmatrelvir/ritonavir for emergency use in nonhospitalized patients with COVID-19. Nirmatrelvir is a newly developed protease inhibitor and is combined with a commonly used pharmacokinetic boosting agent, ritonavir. Given the novelty of nirmatrelvir/ritonavir, potential adverse effects remain uncertain. In this case, we describe a patient who was initiated on a course of nirmatrelvir/ritonavir and developed symptomatic bradycardia.

Self-monitoring using multimodal connected devices in patients with COVID-19 confined at home

Introduction: Covid-19 increased the burden on hospitals for patients with symptoms and potential vital complications. Patient home self-monitoring of clinical signs and physiological safety parameters using connected devices was assessed to better detect patients with indication of rehospitalization. Method(s): After clinical/PCR COVID confirmation, patients were given WITHINGS devices: Scanwatch, a thermometer, a blood pressure monitor, a Sleep analyzer and instructed to take measures twice a day with data retrieved on HealthMate app. Reports and questionnaires on clinical symptoms were sent daily to physicians. Result(s): Ten PCR positive patients were included (5 males): mean age 45.5years [31;67], BMI 26.9kg/m2 [19.7;43.2]. Main COVID symptoms were cough (33%), sore throat (27%), tiredness (36%), dyspnea (37%). Delay between COVID onset and self-monitoring start was 7.7days [0-37]. 8 patients had a good adherence to the protocol up to 30 days. SpO2 and Heart Rate (HR) were most frequently measured: 88 [5-177] and 58 [21-195] measures in average respectively. Five patients with polysomnography had Apnea-Hypopnea Index (AHI) equivalent to the Sleep analyzer averaged over several nights: AHISA: 8.53[-1;71.4] vs AHIPSG: 13.01[1.49;28.76]. Temperature remained within normal in 9/10 patients. In most patients Breathing rate (BR) decreased, HR decreased or remained steady, nigthtime HR/BR changed similarly. Daily steps increased throughout along with BR reduction. All patients had favorable outcomes without indication of hospitalization. Conclusion(s): Home self-monitoring during a pandemic is feasible. Safety parameters may be effectively monitored by patients and easily reported to their physicians.