Acute pericarditis associated with COVID-19 infection

Abstract

Infection by coronavirus type 2 that causes severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS-CoV-2) has been associated with multiple cardiovascular manifestations. The mechanism by which the virus affects the heart is under discussion; however, it has been proposed that the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) serves as a direct entry point for the virus; likewise, the state of inflammation mediated by cytokine storm can ge-nerate multiorgan failure, explaining some cardiac manifestations. The main associations to the cardiovascular system reported in COVID-19 infection are acute coronary syndrome, acute heart failure, cardiogenic shock and arrhythmias. Acute pericarditis is an inflammatory syndrome of mainly viral etiology, and its relationship to SARS-CoV-2 infection seems infrequent, with few reports in the literature. We present the case of a patient who developed pericarditis, concomitant with SARS-CoV-2 infection.