Severe COVID-19-associated myocarditis with cardiogenic shock - management with assist devices - a case report & review

BMC Anesthesiol. 2022 Dec 12;22(1):385. doi: 10.1186/s12871-022-01890-4.

Abstract

Background: Primary viral myocarditis associated with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-Cov2) infection is a rare diagnosis.

Case presentation: We report the case of an unvaccinated, healthy patient with cardiogenic shock in the context of a COVID-19-associated myocarditis and therapy with simultaneous veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) and percutaneous left ventricular decompression therapy with an Impella. The aim of this review is to provide an overview of therapeutic options for patients with COVID-19-associated myocarditis.

Conclusions: The majority of patients required a combination of two assist devices to achieve sufficient cardiac output until recovery of left ventricular ejection fraction. Due to the rapid onset of this fulminant cardiogenic shock immediate invasive bridging therapy in a specialized center was lifesaving.

Keywords: Critical care; Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation; Heart failure; Impella; Myocarditis; SARS-COV-2.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • COVID-19* / complications
  • COVID-19* / therapy
  • Heart-Assist Devices*
  • Humans
  • Myocarditis* / complications
  • Myocarditis* / diagnosis
  • Myocarditis* / therapy
  • RNA, Viral
  • SARS-CoV-2
  • Shock, Cardiogenic / etiology
  • Shock, Cardiogenic / therapy
  • Stroke Volume
  • Ventricular Function, Left

Substances

  • RNA, Viral