Is COVID-19 the New Atherosclerosis? Acute Aortic Dissection Type A in the Early Period after COVID -19 Infection

Abstract

The novel corona virus pandemic has since spread rapidly throughout the world resulting in more than 400 million cases. The clinical manifestations and complications associated with COVID-19 is yet to be elucidated. The clinical presentation may be variable, as it has been previously described. In the published literature many cases of acute aortic dissection caused by COVID-19 infection have been described, but only one in the early period after the resolution of the infection. We present a39year-oldwoman, who was admitted to our department complaining of chest pain after the yoga session. Her past medical history was notable for COVID-19 infection two weeks ago. Her electrocardiogram showed sinus rhythm and mild ST segment elevation in lead a VR, while the transthoracic echocardiogram revealed a dilation of the ascending aorta. After the echocardiographic examination, contrast enhanced computed tomography of aorta was conducted, which revealed an acute aortic dissection (type A- Stanford classification). The patient was admitted for emergent cardiovascular surgery, that was successful and eventually was discharged at the ninth post-operative day.