COVID-19 a Possible Cause of Myocarditis and Pericarditis: About A Case

Abstract

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome-Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) is an unparalleled challenge for the healthcare community across the globe. Angiotensin-2 converting enzyme receptors play a central role in the pathogenesis of the virus. Disruption of this receptor results in cardiomyopathy, cardiac dysfunction, and heart failure. Pericarditis is described as another cause of morbidity in patients with COVID-19. The exact mechanisms of how SARS-CoV-2 can cause myocardial damage are not clearly understood. We report the case of a 72-year-old man presenting for 17 days with retrosternal chest pain suggestive of pericarditis associated with a dry cough and a decline in general condition. He has had exertional asthma and active smoking as a history. He is taken care of in the emergency room. His clinical examination found a patient hemodynamically and respiratory stable, afebrile with a normal somatic examination apart from crackling rales. The biological assessment shows an inflammatory syndrome with slightly increased troponins HS. The scan performed in the emergency room notes typical pulmonary involvement moderate to COVID-19 and low-abundance pericardial effusion confirmed by echocardiography. The COVID-19 nasopharyngeal smear was positive. We conclude in an acute peri-myocarditis with COVID-19. The clinical and biological outcome is rapidly favorable with colchicine.