COVID-19 associated respiratory failure complicating a pericardial effusion in a patient with sideroblastic anemia

Edouard Sayad; Mohamad Hammoud; Dima Khreis; Maher El Shami; Maroun Matar; Roula Farah

doi:10.1016/j.rmcr.2021.101543

COVID-19 associated respiratory failure complicating a pericardial effusion in a patient with sideroblastic anemia

Respir Med Case Rep. 2021:34:101543. doi: 10.1016/j.rmcr.2021.101543. Epub 2021 Nov 6.

Authors

Edouard Sayad¹, Mohamad Hammoud¹, Dima Khreis², Maher El Shami¹, Maroun Matar¹, Roula Farah¹

Affiliations

¹ Gilbert and Rose-Marie Chagoury School of Medicine and LAU Medical Center-Rizk Hospital, Department of Pediatrics, Lebanese American University, Beirut, Lebanon.
² American University of Beirut Medical Center, Department of Pediatrics, Beirut, Lebanon.

Abstract

Background: COVID-19 disease has been associated with several cardiovascular complications that rarely occur in the acute phase of the disease.

Case report: A 13-year-old pediatric patient with congenital sideroblastic anemia associated with YARS2 mutation presenting with COVID-19 infection and worsening pericardial effusion followed by a respiratory failure refractory to supplemental oxygen therapy leading to cardiac arrest.

Discussion: This case highlights the rapid deterioration that can occur in children with serious hematologic disorders in the context of COVID-19 especially when complicated with pericardial effusion.

Conclusion: The importance of pericardiocentesis early in order to allow better ventilation in any significant pericardial effusion case associated with COVID-19 infection and the need for prompt care escalation to centers where ECMO is available.

Keywords: COVID-19; ECMO; Pericardial effusion; Sideroblastic anemia; YARS2.

Publication types

Case Reports