Corresponding author:
Salas-Pacheco José L. MD, MSc
José Luis Salas Pacheco
Cardiology department, Centenario Hospital Miguel Hidalgo,
Aguascalientes, México
Ferrocarril avenue, Alameda. Aguascalientes México. Zip code: 20259
mail: jolsalp@gmail.com
telephone: 449 994 6720
fax: none
ABSTRACT
The COVID-19 pandemic decreased the hospitalizations rate for acute
coronary syndromes. The origin was multifactorial. In parallel, the
incidence of mechanical complications after acute myocardial infarction
increased. Is presented the case of a 54-years-olds female with COVID-19
and acute anterior myocardial infarction, apical aneurysm, and
interventricular septal rupture. The surgical repair consisted of
ventriculoplasty, septal rupture closure with a pericardial patch, and
it was impossible to perform coronary revascularization.
VENTRICULAR SEPTAL RUPTURE AFTER ACUTE MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION ASSOCIATED
WITH COVID-19
One of the main presentations of COVID-19 is thrombotic phenomena,
including acute coronary syndromes. Acute ST-segment elevation
myocardial infarction can present a broad spectrum of manifestations and
a higher incidence of complications. Mechanical complications of acute
myocardial infarction (AMI) are associated with a mortality rate greater
than 80%.1 The four clinical scenarios of mechanical
complications are: ventricular septal rupture (VSR), severe mitral
regurgitation secondary to papillary muscle rupture, left ventricular
free wall rupture, and ventricular aneurysm
formation.2During the COVID-19 pandemic, increased incidence of acute MI
complications was observed, as well as a significant delay in
percutaneous coronary intervention.3-4
Clinical case
A 54-years-olds sedentary woman, former heavy smoker, presented to the
emergency department with 36 hours history of atypical chest pain. She
still had precordial pain, blood pressure 90/70mmHg, heart rate 89 bpm,
and jugular ingurgitation on admission to the emergency room. Chest
auscultation revealed a left parasternal holosystolic murmur, in
addition to generalized crepitant rales. Electrocardiogram (Figure 1) in
normal sinus rhythm, QS complex, and ST-segment elevation from V1 to V6
and ST-segment elevation in DII, DIII, and aVF. High sensitive troponin
I of 77.8ng/mL (upper normal limit 0.034ng/mL) and PCR for SarsCov-2
positive in nasal exudate. The echocardiogram showed multiple apical
perforations in the interventricular septum with left-to-right shunt,
Qp-to-Qs ratio 2.6:1, an apical aneurysm, left ventricular ejection
fraction (LVEF) of 17%, restrictive left ventricular filling, and right
ventricle dilatated and dysfunctional (Figure 2). Coronary angiography
showed the proximal segment of the left anterior descending artery with
heavy thrombus burden, complete occlusion with TIMI Flow 0 (Figure 3).
Angioplasty was not performed. Given the patient’s condition, the heart
team decided to surgically close the VSR, which was carried out ten days
after admission. The surgical procedure consisted of placing a
pericardial patch on the left ventricular side of the septum and
ventriculoplasty with apical aneurysm resection (Figure 4). Myocardial
revascularization was not possible science the susceptible artery
irrigated thinned and aneurysmatic myocardial tissue. Post-surgical
echocardiogram showed no residual shunts, severe ventricular systolic
dysfunction with LVEF of 20%, and a residual apical aneurysm.
Vasopressor and inotropic drugs were gradually discontinued, and
mechanical ventilation was successfully weaned. The patient was in NYHA
functional class II at hospital discharge, and guideline-directed
medical therapy for heart failure was initiated.
Discussion
Although substantial advances have been made in the early management of
AMI, the COVID-19 pandemic trigger delays in treatment and an increase
in acute mechanical complications. In the post-revascularization era,
mechanical complications incidence decreased to 0.3%; however, during
the last year, a surge was observed due to SARS-CoV-2 health
emergency.4-5 COVID-19 induces a systemic inflammatory
status and severe pulmonary complications that directly impact morbidity
and mortality. The viral infection also involves the cardiovascular
system causing a broad spectrum of manifestations, ranging from
asymptomatic myocardial injury to severe myocarditis with heart failure,
arrhythmias, venous thromboembolism, and acute myocardial
infarction.3-5 The contingency by the SARS-CoV-2
pandemic originated a worldwide decrease in hospitalizations due to
acute coronary syndromes, superior to that expected for seasonal
variations previously described.5 Multiple factors
increased the late arrival to healthcare services of patients with acute
coronary syndromes; fear of acquiring coronavirus infection, the
collapse of health systems, and diagnostic bias. This results in delayed
reperfusion therapies and a resurgence of mechanical complications of
AMI.6-7 Transthoracic echocardiography is the
first-line diagnostic modality of VSR; it allows shunt localization,
assessment of hemodynamic repercussion, and identification of associated
complications. However, transesophageal echocardiography has superior
diagnostic performance. Surgery is the treatment of choice. Early
intervention is one of the factors that most influence the prognosis.
Conclusions
AMI’s delayed care associated with COVID-19 significantly increases
mechanical complications, morbidity, and mortality from non-respiratory
causes. Although COVID-19 new cases are currently declining thanks to
implementing mass vaccination programs and social distancing strategies,
it will be necessary to implement strategies that encourage a timely
diagnosis.
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Figure 1. Electrocardiogram shows normal sinus rhythm, QS complexes, and
ST-segment elevation from V1-V6 and DII, DIII, and aVF.
Figure 2. Transesophageal echocardiogram. The upper panel shows
mid-esophageal long axis views with an apical aneurism. Lower panel, D
and E: show deep-transgastric, 0 degrees view with apical
interventricular septum complex rupture and left to right flow with
Doppler color. F: out-off plane mid-esophageal long-axis view showing
left to right flow with Doppler color (yellow arrow). LA: left atrium;
LV: left ventricle; RV: right ventricle.
Figure 3. Coronary angiography. Left: Thrombotic occlusion of the
proximal segment of the anterior descending artery, with TIMI 0 flow
(yellow arrow). Right: The vertical segment of the Right coronary artery
shows eccentric, 40% obstruction, with TIMI 3 flow.
Figure 4. Transoperative exposure of interventricular septal rupture. A:
Exposure of the ventricular cavity whit complex septal rupture (yellow
arrow). B and C: Pericardial patch placement in the ruptured apical
interventricular septum (black arrow).