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Right Ventricular Outflow Tract Tachycardia in a COVID-19 Patient: A Case Report and Review of the Literature
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  • Yusuf Hallak,
  • Umberto Battistin,
  • Ahmedyar Hasan,
  • Montaser Nabeeh Al Smady,
  • Fatima Hallak,
  • Mehmood Butt
Yusuf Hallak
Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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Umberto Battistin
Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences
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Ahmedyar Hasan
Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences College of Medicine
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Montaser Nabeeh Al Smady
Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences College of Medicine
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Fatima Hallak
Dubai Medical College for Girls
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Mehmood Butt
King's College Hospital Dubai
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Abstract

Objectives: The novel Coronavirus (SARS-CoV2) adversely affects cardiac status and may cause arrhythmias. The objective of this study is to describe the case of a 41 year-old female presenting to the emergency department with Right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) ventricular tachycardia; as well as to appraise and compare etiologies proposed in the literature with our case. Methods: The study design is a case report and review of the literature. A PubMed/Medline search was conducted including studies published in peer-reviewed journals between December, 2019 and November, 2020. Papers discussing the relationship between COVID-19 and cardiac arrhythmias were included, excluding the pediatric population and papers with major confounding factors to the predisposition of cardiac arrhythmias. Results: 6 papers were included in the qualitative synthesis. These papers discussed different mechanisms by which COVID-19 can cause arrhythmias. These results were compared with the findings in our case in an attempt to better understand the etiology behind our case of RVOT-VT. Proposed etiologies included ACE2-mediated direct damage of cardiomyocytes, raised serum CRP levels, and raised systemic inflammatory markers and activation of the Ca2+/Calmodulin protein kinase I. Conclusion: The lack of associated comorbidities and risk factors in our patient highlights the unique challenge of identifying the clinical sequelae of COVID-19. Proposed pathophysiologies in the literature were not applicable to our case, highlighting the need for clinical monitoring in patients, and the need for further research on the topic.