Detection of the incidence and types of arrhythmia and conduction block in COVID - 19 patients Detection and description of CMR patterns of myocardial injury in COVID-19 patients with arrhythmias.
COVID-19 has been declared a global pandemic by the World Health Organization and is responsible for hundreds of thousands of deaths worldwide. Early reports from China suggested an overall cardiac arrhythmia incidence of 17% in patients hospitalized for COVID-19. A higher arrhythmia rate (44%) was observed in patients with COVID-19 admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU). However, details of the type and burden of arrhythmias in this population have not been elucidated. Myocardial injury is common in patients with COVID-19, accounting for 7%-23% of reported cases in Wuhan, China. Among COVID-related myocardial injury, etiologies vary and can include myocarditis, myocardial infarction, sepsis-related myocardial injury, and/or stress induced cardiomyopathy. Myocardial injury is associated with high risk of developing all types of arrhythmia including atrial fibrillation, supraventricular tachycardia, ventricular tachycardia, ventricular fibrillation, and variable degrees of heart block. Sudden cardiac death was also reported. The pathophysiology of COVID-19-related myocarditis is a combination of direct viral injury and cardiac damage due to the host's immune response. Although the pathophysiology of arrhythmias is still speculative, clinicians should provide prompt monitoring and treatment. The long term impact of COVID-19 myocarditis remains unknown Meanwhile, cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging is an integral test in the diagnosis of myocardial injury. It can safely be used as a first-line diagnostic tool in the workup of myocardial injury associated with COVID-19. Investigators believe that proper diagnosis and management of COVID 19 related arrhythmias and their etiology can lead to both in-hospital and long term reduction of morbidity and mortality of this dangerous presentation of the disease.
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
50
The following basic sequences will be conducted: * Cine imaging using SSFP sequence for cardiac structure and function. * Tissue characterization imaging, T1 and T2. * Myocardial perfusion imaging. * Late gadolinium enhancement. Diagnosis of myocarditis will be based on the modified Lake Louise criteria: T2-weighted: any of the following standard T2 sequences: regional high signal standard T2 sequences: global signal intensity ratio (myocardium/skeletal muscle) ≥2 T2 mapping: increased T2 relaxation times T1-weighted: any of the following late enhancement imaging: non-ischemic (subepicardial or mid myocardial) late enhancement native T1 mapping: increased T1 relaxation times or extracellular volume supportive criteria: signs of pericarditis: effusion or pericardial late enhancement regional or global wall motion abnormalities\[5\]
Evaluation of the incidence of arrhythmia and conduction block in COVID-19 patients using Holter
Time frame: baseline
Detection of myocardial injury in COVID-19 patients using CMR.
Time frame: baseline
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