COVID-19-associated Brugada pattern electrocardiogram: Systematic review of case reports.

AIMS: To summarize published case reports of patients diagnosed with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and Brugada pattern electrocardiogram (ECG). METHODS: The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses checklist were followed. A literature search was conducted using PubMed, EMBASE, and Scopus up until September 2021. The incidence, clinical characteristics, and management outcomes of COVID-19 patients with a Brugada pattern ECG were identified. RESULTS: A total of 18 cases were collected. The mean age was 47.1 years and 11.1% were women. No patients had prior confirmed diagnosis of Brugada syndrome. The most common presenting clinical symptoms were fever (83.3%), chest pain (38.8%), shortness of breath (38.8%), and syncope (16.6%). All 18 patients presented with type 1 Brugada pattern ECG. Four patients (22.2%) underwent left heart catheterization, and none demonstrated the presence of obstructive coronary disease. The most common reported therapies included antipyretics (55.5%), hydroxychloroquine (27.7%), and antibiotics (16.6%). One patient (5.5%) died during hospitalization. Three patients (16.6%) who presented with syncope received either an implantable cardioverter defibrillator or wearable cardioverter defibrillator at discharge. At follow-up, 13 patients (72.2%) had resolution of type 1 Brugada pattern ECG. CONCLUSION: COVID-19-associated Brugada pattern ECG seems relatively rare. Most patients had resolution of the ECG pattern once their symptoms have improved. Increased awareness and timely use of antipyretics is warranted in this population.

Management of a Large Pericardial Effusion in Pregnancy: A Multidisciplinary Approach.

Pericardial effusions are rarely brought to clinical attention in pregnancy. When present, effusions are typically small, clinically silent, and related to fluid shifts in pregnancy. We present a case of a large pericardial effusion during the third trimester of pregnancy with management considerations for labor and delivery.

Cardiac Sarcoidosis: A Case Report on the Role of Cardiac Computed Tomography (CT) in the Evaluation of Advanced Atrioventricular Block.

Cardiac sarcoidosis is a rare autoimmune condition that is characterized by the presence of non-caseating granulomas in the cardiac tissue. We present the case of a 31-year-old male with no significant past medical history who presented with palpitations and lightheadedness during exertion for two to three months and was found to have complete heart block on his 12-lead electrocardiogram. A cardiac CT was obtained to rule out an ischemic event, but it indicated findings suggestive of pulmonary sarcoidosis. The CT findings helped tremendously with narrowing down the differential diagnosis and providing efficient diagnostic and therapeutic management.

A Case of Postpartum Takotsubo (Stress) Cardiomyopathy.

Takotsubo (stress) cardiomyopathy (TCM) is usually triggered by psychological and/or physical stress. Most often, it is seen in postmenopausal women. Cases of TCM related to pregnancy are rare. We present a unique case of a 35-year-old, two-day postpartum female who was diagnosed with TCM.