Post-infectious ST elevation myocardial infarction following a COVID-19 infection: A case report

Abstract

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome-Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) has been shown to increase the risk of thrombotic events due to a hypercoagulable state caused by several factors. The case of a 59-year-old woman affected by hypertension and metabolic disorders, treated for a COVID-19 infection who developed cardiac symptoms during the first days of hospitalization is reported. Electrocardiogram analysis and cardiac-ultrasound confirmed ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) diagnosis, thus the patient underwent percutaneous coronary intervention, which was successful. This case highlights a possible association between respiratory infection, particularly SARS-CoV-2 infection, and cardiovascular events, in particular Acute Coronary Syndrome. The association between these phenomena seems related to a range of factors, including a proinflammatory state and the hypoxemia. Moreover, the association amongst SARS-CoV-2 and cardiovascular diseases may be also linked to long-term sequelae. Thus, further studies are required to better under-stand the multifaceted and severe complications of this disease.