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Case Reports
. 2021 Apr;8(2):971-973.
doi: 10.1002/ehf2.13186. Epub 2021 Jan 6.

COVID-19-convalescence phase unmasks a silent myocardial infarction due to coronary plaque rupture

Carsten Tschöpe  1   2   3 , Mohammad Sherif  1 , Markus S Anker  3   4   5   6 , Dominik Geisel  7 , Titus Kuehne  3   8   9 , Sebastian Kelle  1   3   10
Affiliations
Case Reports

COVID-19-convalescence phase unmasks a silent myocardial infarction due to coronary plaque rupture

Carsten Tschöpe et al. ESC Heart Fail. 2021 Apr.

Abstract

Increased risk of cardiovascular complications during and post-COVID-19 infection is more and more recognized-including myocarditis, arrhythmias, and myocardial infarctions (MIs). The mechanisms leading to these complications are direct virus-induced injuries, as well as potential thrombotic and inflammatory-induced mechanisms. To the latter, inflammatory plaque instability and plaque rupture are discussed entities contributing to MI-induced post-COVID-19 complications. Our case report describes the first time, when a temporary impairment of LVEF in the COVID-19-convalescence phase unmasks a silent MI due to coronary plaque rupture by using invasive (OCT) and non-invasive (CMR) modalities. Myocardial infarction might be an important differential diagnosis to consider in deteriorating patients with COVID-19, especially if dyspnoea persists after acute infection.

Keywords: CMR; COVID-19; OCT; SARS-CoV-2; convalescence; heart; magnetic resonance; myocardial infarction; myocarditis; recovery; thrombosis.

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Conflict of interest statement

C.T., M.S.A., and S.K. have received research support by the DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research) and by the BMBF (German Ministry of Education and Research) and personal fees from Servier, outside the current work. All other authors have nothing to disclose.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Coronary angiogram including OCT and CMR at COVID‐19‐convalescence phase.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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