Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 is known to induce a cytokine storm, a hyperinflammatory state driven by up-regulation of interleukin 6 (IL-6) and immunomodulatory chemokines that may result in acute heart failure. Case summary: A 65-year-old woman with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 developed shock with multiorgan system failure, including acute biventricular heart failure, 2 weeks after the initial onset of fever, cough, and shortness of breath. The patient experienced myocardial recovery within 48 h after administration of tocilizumab, a humanized monoclonal anti-IL-6 receptor antibody, and multiple supportive vasoactive medications. Discussion: The differential diagnosis of acute heart failure in critically ill patients with COVID-19 infection is broad, including sepsis-induced cardiomyopathy, Takotsubo syndrome, viral lymphocytic myocarditis, and acute coronary syndrome. Immunomodulatory treatment with tocilizumab may benefit patients who develop cardiogenic shock associated with SARS-CoV-2-induced cytokine storm.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 1-6 |
Number of pages | 6 |
Journal | European Heart Journal - Case Reports |
Volume | 4 |
Issue number | FI1 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Oct 1 2020 |
Keywords
- COVID-19
- Case report
- Cytokine
- Heart failure
- Myocarditis
- Takotsubo
- Tocilizumab
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine