Contributor: Ricky Dhaliwal, MD
Educational Pearls:

What factors are considered in a COVID-19 infection?

The viral load: Understood as the impact of SARS-CoV-2 viral particles infecting host cell tissue itself (utilizing ACE-2 receptors).
Pro-Inflammatory Response: Post-infection, the body's downstream systemic cytokine release (can be both normal or hyperactive, aka “cytokine storm”).

What cardiac impacts have been observed with COVID-19?

Arrhythmias: The mechanism of COVID-19 infection and arrhythmias is believed to be multifactorial. However, evidence suggests T-cell-mediated toxicity and cytokine storm may contribute to cardiac myocyte damage, precipitating proarrhythmias instead of direct viral entry.
- Bradycardia: Increased prevalence in patients with severe COVID-19 infection, but not associated with increased adverse outcomes.
- Atrial Fibrillation: Most common cardiac complication and risk factor for worsened outcomes in patients with COVID-19. Biggest associated risk is strokes, and may require heightened monitoring and anticoagulation therapy to mitigate stroke risk.
Fibrosis of Cardiac Tissue: Similar to arrhythmias, believed to be inflammation-mediated in COVID-19. Fibrosis of cardiac tissue increases the risk that any arrhythmias that develop during infection may persist after the infection has resolved.
Ventricular damage: Also inflammation mediated by an active infection and contributes to myocarditis.
- No evidence suggests that COVID-19 vaccination contributes to myocarditis.
Sinus node dysfunction induced by inflammation that may lead to or be similar to Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS).

Big takeaway?

Patients who have had or currently have COVID-19 are at an increased risk of developing arrhythmias and sustaining them post-infection. However, a majority of patients will recover.
Due to atrial fibrillation being the most prevalent arrhythmia associated with COVID-19 infection, increased monitoring and potential anticoagulation therapy are required.

References

Gopinathannair R, Olshansky B, Chung MK, Gordon S, Joglar JA, Marcus GM, et al. Cardiac Arrhythmias and Autonomic Dysfunction Associated With COVID-19: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association. Circulation. 2024 Nov 19;150(21):e449–65.
Khan Z, Pabani UK, Gul A, Muhammad SA, Yousif Y, Abumedian M, et al. COVID-19 Vaccine-Induced Myocarditis: A Systemic Review and Literature Search. Cureus. 14(7):e27408.

Summarized by Dan Orbidan, OMS1 | Edited by Dan Orbidan & Jorge Chalit, OMS3

Episode 955: Cardiac Effects of COVID-19

Emergency Medical Minute