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Review
. 2022 Mar;14(1):1-9.
doi: 10.1016/j.ccep.2021.10.001. Epub 2022 Jan 22.

Prevalence, Management, and Outcome of Atrial Fibrillation and Other Supraventricular Arrhythmias in COVID-19 Patients

Affiliations
Review

Prevalence, Management, and Outcome of Atrial Fibrillation and Other Supraventricular Arrhythmias in COVID-19 Patients

Michele Magnocavallo et al. Card Electrophysiol Clin. 2022 Mar.

Abstract

COVID-19 mainly affects the respiratory system but has been correlated with cardiovascular manifestations such as myocarditis, heart failure, acute coronary syndromes, and arrhythmias. Cardiac arrhythmias are the second most frequent complication affecting about 30% of patients. Several mechanisms may lead to an increased risk of cardiac arrhythmias during COVID-19 infection, ranging from direct myocardial damage to extracardiac involvement. The aim of this review is to describe the role of COVID-19 in the pathogenesis of cardiac arrhythmias and provide a comprehensive guidance for their monitoring and management.

Keywords: Atrial fibrillation; Atrial flutter; COVID-19; Catheter ablation; Rhythm control; Supraventricular arrhythmias.

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Conflict of interest statement

Disclosure Dr J.D. Burkhardt is a consultant for Biosense Webster and Stereotaxis. Dr L. Di Biase is a consultant for Biosense Webster, Boston Scientific, Stereotaxis, and St. Jude Medical; and has received speaker honoraria from Medtronic, Atricure, EPiEP, and Biotronik. Dr A. Natale has received speaker honoraria from Boston Scientific, Biosense Webster, St. Jude Medical, Biotronik, and Medtronic; and is a consultant for Biosense Webster, St. Jude Medical, and Janssen. All other authors have reported that they have no relationships relevant to the contents of this article to disclose.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Potential mechanisms of arrhythmia and COVID-19. IL, interleukin; SARS-CoV-2, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Acute treatment of AF and AFL in COVID-19 patients. AF, atrial fibrillation; AFL, atrial flutter.

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