Emergency Medical Minute

Contributor: Ricky Dhaliwal, MD Educational Pearls: What factors are considered in a COVID-19 infection? The viral load: Understood as the impact of SARS-CoV-2 viral particles infecting host cell tissue itself (utilizing ACE-2 receptors). Pro-Inflammatory Response: Post-infection, the body's downstream systemic cytokine release (can be both normal or hyperactive, aka “cytokine storm”). What cardiac impacts have been observed with COVID-19? Arrhythmias: The mechanism of COVID-19 infection and arrhythmias is believed to be multifactorial. However, evidence suggests T-cell-mediated toxicity and cytokine storm may contribute to cardiac myocyte damage, precipitating proarrhythmias instead of direct viral entry. Bradycardia: Increased prevalence in patients with severe COVID-19 infection, but not associated with increased adverse outcomes. Atrial Fibrillation: Most common cardiac complication and risk factor for worsened outcomes in patients with COVID-19. Biggest associated risk is strokes, and may require he