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Acute perimyocarditis with cardiac tamponade in COVID-19 infection without respiratory disease.

Håvard DalenEspen HolteAnna Ulstein GuldalJohan-Arnt HegvikKnut Haakon StensaethAnders Tjellaug BraatenOle Christian MjølstadOle RossvollRune Wiseth
Published in: BMJ case reports (2020)
The COVID-19 pandemic with its severe respiratory disease has caused overflow to hospitals and intensive care units. Elevated troponins and natriuretic peptides are related to cardiac injury and poor prognosis. We present a young woman with COVID-19 infection with haemodynamic instability caused by acute perimyocarditis and cardiac tamponade. Troponin T was modestly elevated. Focused cardiac ultrasound made the diagnosis. Echocardiography revealed transient thickening of the myocardial walls. After pericardial drainage and supportive care, she improved significantly within 1 week without targeted therapy. The case illustrates the importance of cardiac diagnostic imaging in patients with COVID-19 and elevated cardiac biomarkers.
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