COVID-19 RELATED MYOCARDITIS

Abstract

Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19) affected the whole world and caused the death of millions of people. Pneumonia and acute respiratory distress syndrome are the most common causes of death. Many cardiovascular conditions such as myocarditis, acute myocardial infarction, heart failure, arrhythmias, cardiac arrest and cardiogenic shock are other common causes of mortality. The exact incidence of COVID-19-associated myocarditis is unknown. Sudden dyspnea, chest pain, arrhythmias, heart failure may be due to myocarditis. Patients with suspected cardiac involvement should be monitored and followed closely. Although the definitive diagnosis of myocarditis is made by endomyocardial biopsy, it is not possible to perform it in every patient and in every center, since it is an invasive method. Patients with suspected myocarditis should be followed up with troponin, electrocardiogram and, if necessary, echocardiography and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging should be performed if possible. Although there is no definitive treatment for myocarditis, supportive treatment is the most important treatment approach.

Keywords: Coronavirus Disease-2019, myocarditis, cardiac involvement.