A 15-year-old girl (with no underlying disease) was admitted with mild dyspnea, abdominal pain, nausea, and fever that had occurred for 2 days before admission. At the time of admission, vital signs were as follows: body temperature = 39.8°C, systolic blood pressure = 90/50 mmHg, heart rate = 120/min, and O2 saturation = 95% without oxygenation. Cold limbs and thready pulse were obvious through physical examination. Moreover, the ECG revealed sinus tachycardia and inverted T wave in lateral limb and precordial leads. Simultaneously, an enlarged liver (146 mm) and elevated levels of liver enzymes (alanine aminotransferase [ALT] = 176 U/L, aspartate aminotransferase [AST] = 120 U/L, alkaline phosphatase [ALP] = 170 U/L, albumin = 4.5 g/dl, total bilirubin = 1 mg/dl, and direct bilirubin = 0.3 mg/dl) were observed that were suggestive of acute hepatitis. The TTE indicated severe ventricular (RV and LV) enlargement and dysfunction (LVEF = 5%–10%), moderate mitral regurgitation, PAP = 35 mmHg, and mild pericardial effusion. The patient had a positive nasal and oropharyngeal PCR test for COVID-19, and the lung CT scan disclosed GGO as well as peripheral consolidations (Figure ). The patient was treated with broad-spectrum antibiotics (meropenem [500 mg q8 h for 5 days] and doxycycline [200 mg/day]), corticosteroids (methylprednisolone 1 mg/kg/day), and remdesivir. Ten days after admission, the patient was discharged from the hospital in a stable condition with normalization of white blood cell (WBC) count and liver enzymes, and the TTE exhibited no change compared to the first examination. However, an LVEF of 20% and a dysfunctional and enlarged RV were observed by follow-up of the patient for 3 months. It is worth mentioning that the patient suffered from dyspnea during ordinary physical activities (functional class II).
A 39-year-old woman was admitted with chest pain, orthopnea, and cough that had arisen for 1 week before admission. Also, she had a history of asthma. Vital signs were as follows: body temperature = 37.2°C, systolic blood pressure = 100/60 mmHg, heart rate = 125/min, and O2 saturation = 90% without oxygenation. The ECG showed sinus tachycardia. The patient had a positive nasal and oropharyngeal PCR test for COVID-19 and the lung CT scan showed GGO in both lungs (Figure ). Echocardiography represented an LVEF of 30%–35%, normal LV size, mild RV enlargement (restrictive diastolic pattern), moderate tricuspid and mitral regurgitation, and mild pericardial effusion. Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR or cardiac MRI) imaging showed myocardial edema and hyperemia suggestive of active myocarditis. Also, coronary CT angiography was normal. Subepicardial and subendocardial fibrosis in the middle part of the inferoseptal wall was also present. Her vital signs and oxygen saturation (98% on room air) improved after dexamethasone administration for 3 days. Echocardiography revealed an LVEF of 45% and a hypermobile thrombus in the LV (1.5 × 1.5 cm; Figure ). Although the cardiac surgeon suggested surgical removal of the thrombus, the patient refused the surgery. So, the patient was subjected to anticoagulation therapy (heparin 24,000 U/24 h). After 3 days, the thrombus had disappeared on the echocardiography, and there were no clues of embolism. The patient was discharged in a satisfying condition on β-blocker, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor, spironolactone, and warfarin. Follow-up of the patient for 3 months showed an LVEF of 45%–50%.