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%.
A 16-year-old boy was admitted with fever, diarrhea, and dry cough that had occurred for 1 week before admission. The first evaluation of the patient at the time of admission was as follows: low blood pressure (80/60 mmHg), non-palpable pulse, and cyanosis, oxygen saturation was 85% without oxygenation, and the body temperature was 38°C. The ECG showed normal sinus rhythm with diffuse anterior ST-segment elevations in precordial leads (Figure ). Rapid improvement of the ECG abnormality resulted from carrying out vasopressors and intubation. Echocardiography represented left ventricular wall thickness, LVEF of 20%–25% with generalized hypokinesis, normal RV size (and function), and dilated inferior vena cava. Moreover, valvular structure and function were normal. The patient had a positive nasal and oropharyngeal PCR test for COVID-19, and the lung CT scan disclosed GGO (Figure ).\nThe patient received IVIG (1 g/kg), broad-spectrum antibiotics (meropenem [500 mg] and doxycycline [200 mg/day]), high-dose corticosteroid (methylprednisolone 1 g/day), and remdesivir for COVID-19. Nonetheless, the patient died the next day after admission due to sudden bradycardia, hypotension, and cardiac arrest.