Contemporary use of cardiac imaging for COVID-19 patients: a three center experience defining a potential role for cardiac MRI

The pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) secondary to the novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has bestowed an unprecedented challenge upon us, resulting in an international public health emergency. COVID-19 has already resulted in >?1,600,000 deaths worldwide and the fear of a global economic collapse. SARS-CoV-2 is notorious for causing acute respiratory distress syndrome, however emerging literature suggests various dreaded cardiac manifestations associated with high mortality. The mechanism of myocardial damage in COVID-19 is unclear but thought to be multifactorial and mainly driven by the host’s immune response (cytokine storm), hypoxemia and direct myocardial injury by the virus. Cardiac manifestations from COVID-19 include but are not limited to, acute myocardial injury, cardiac arrhythmias, congestive heart failure and acute coronary syndrome. Cardiac imaging is paramount to appropriately diagnose and manage the cardiac manifestations of COVID-19. Herein, we present cardiac imaging findings of COVID-19 patients with biomarker and imaging confirmed myocarditis to provide insight regarding the variable manifestations of COVID-19 myocarditis via Cardiac MRI (CMR) coupled with CMR-edema education along with recommendations on how to incorporate advanced CMR into the clinicians’ COVID-19 armamentarium.

     

Electrocardiographic manifestations of COVID-19

IntroductionCoronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) is a lower respiratory tract infection caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). This disease can impact the cardiovascular system and lead to abnormal electrocardiographic (ECG) findings. Emergency clinicians must be aware of the ECG manifestations of COVID-19.ObjectiveThis narrative review outlines the pathophysiology and electrocardiographic findings associated with COVID-19.DiscussionCOVID-19 is a potentially critical illness associated with a variety of ECG abnormalities, with up to 90% of critically ill patients demonstrating at least one abnormality. The ECG abnormalities in COVID-19 may be due to cytokine storm, hypoxic injury, electrolyte abnormalities, plaque rupture, coronary spasm, microthrombi, or direct endothelial or myocardial injury. While sinus tachycardia is the most common abnormality, others include supraventricular tachycardias such as atrial fibrillation or flutter, ventricular arrhythmias such as ventricular tachycardia or fibrillation, various bradycardias, interval and axis changes, and ST segment and T wave changes. Several ECG presentations are associated with poor outcome, including atrial fibrillation, QT interval prolongation, ST segment and T wave changes, and ventricular tachycardia/fibrillation.ConclusionsThis review summarizes the relevant ECG findings associated with COVID-19. Knowledge of these findings in COVID-19-related electrocardiographic presentations may assist emergency clinicians in the evaluation and management of potentially infected and infected patients.     

Using ECG-To-Activation Time to Assess Emergency Physicians’ Diagnostic Time for Acute Coronary Occlusion

BackgroundThere is no quality metric for emergency physicians’ diagnostic time for acute coronary occlusion.ObjectiveWe sought to quantify diagnostic time associated with automated interpretation, classic ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) criteria, STEMI-equivalents, and subtle occlusions, using electrocardiogram (ECG)-to-activation of catheterization laboratory time.MethodsThis multicenter retrospective study reviewed all code STEMI patients from the emergency department (ED) with confirmed culprit lesions from January 2016 to December 2018. We measured door-to-ECG (DTE) time and ECG-to-activation (ETA) time. We examined the first ED ECGs to determine whether automated interpretation labeled “STEMI,” and they met classic STEMI criteria, STEMI-equivalents, or rules for subtle occlusion. ECG analysis was performed by two emergency physicians blinded to clinical scenario, automated interpretation, and angiographic outcome.ResultsThere were 177 code STEMIs with culprit lesions, with a median DTE time of 9.0 min and a median ETA time of 16.0 min. Automated interpretation labeled 55.4% of first ECGs “STEMI” (ETA 6.5 min) and 44.6% not “STEMI” (ETA 66 min, p < 0.0001). Of first ECGs, 63.8% met classic STEMI criteria (ETA 8.0 min), 8.5% had STEMI-equivalents (ETA 32.0 min, p = 0.0026), 16.4% had subtle occlusions (ETA 89.0 min, p = 0.045), and 11.3% had no diagnostic sign of occlusion (ETA 68.0 min, p = 0.20).ConclusionsSTEMI criteria missed more than one-third of occlusions on first ECG, but most had STEMI-equivalents or rules for subtle occlusion. ETA time can serve as a quality metric for emergency physicians to promote new ECG insights and assess quality improvement initiatives.     

Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Emergency Department Use: Focus on Patients Requiring Urgent Revascularization

BackgroundThe novel coronavirus (2019-nCOV) appeared in China and precipitously extended across the globe. As always, natural disasters or infectious disease outbreaks have the potential to cause emergency department (ED) volume changes.ObjectiveWe aimed to assess the influence of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on ED visits and the impact on the handling of patients requiring urgent revascularization.MethodsWe reviewed the charts of all patients presenting to the ED of Hospital Sainte Anne (Toulon, France) from March 23 to April 5, 2020 and compared them with those of the same period in 2019. Then we analyzed complementary data on acute coronary syndrome (ST-elevation myocardial infarction [STEMI] and non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction [NSTEMI]) and neurovascular emergencies (strokes and transient ischemic attacks).ResultsThe total number of visits decreased by 47%. The number of people assessed as triage level 2 was 8% lower in 2020. There were five fewer cases of NSTEMI in 2020, but the same number of STEMI. The number of neurovascular emergencies increased (27 cases in 2019 compared with 30 in 2020). We observed a reduction in the delay between arrival at the ED and the beginning of coronary angiography for STEMI cases (27 min in 2019 and 22 min in 2020). In 2020, 7 more stroke patients were admitted.ConclusionThe COVID-19 pandemic probably dissuaded “non-critical” patients from coming to the hospital, whereas the same number of patients with a critical illness attended the ED as attended prior to the pandemic. There does not seem to have been any effect of the pandemic on patients requiring reperfusion therapy (STEMI and stroke).     

COVID-19 in gastroenterology and hepatology: Lessons learned and questions to be answered

BACKGROUNDAlthough coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) presents primarily as a lower respiratory tract infection, increasing data suggests multiorgan, including the gastrointestinal (GI) tract and liver, involvement in patients who are infected by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2).AIMTo provide a comprehensive overview of COVID-19 in gastroenterology and hepatology.METHODSRelevant studies on COVID-19 related to the study aim were undertaken through a literature search to synthesize the extracted data.RESULTSWe found that digestive symptoms and liver injury are not uncommon in patients with COVID-19 and varies in different individuals. The most common GI symptoms reported are diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal discomfort. Other atypical GI symptoms, such as loss of smell and taste and GI bleeding, have also been reported along with the evolvement of COVID-19. Liver chemistry abnormalities mainly include elevation of aspartate transferase, alanine transferase, and total bilirubin. It is postulated to be related to the binding of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus to the angiotensin converting enzyme-2 receptor located on several different human cells. CONCLUSIONStandardized criteria should be established for diagnosis and grading of the severity of GI symptoms in COVID-19 patients. Gastroenterology and hepatology in special populations, such as children and elderly, should be the focus of further research. Future long-term data regarding GI symptoms should not be overlooked.     

Sharing and Teaching Electrocardiograms to Minimize Infarction (STEMI): reducing diagnostic time for acute coronary occlusion in the emergency department

BackgroundLimits to ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI) criteria may lead to prolonged diagnostic time for acute coronary occlusion. We aimed to reduce ECG-to-Activation (ETA) time through audit and feedback on STEMI-equivalents and subtle occlusions, without increasing Code STEMIs without culprit lesions.MethodsThis multi-centre, quality improvement initiative reviewed all Code STEMI patients from the emergency department (ED) over a one-year baseline and one-year intervention period. We measured ETA time, from the first ED ECG to the time a Code STEMI was activated. Our intervention strategy involved a grand rounds presentation and an internal website presenting weekly local challenging cases, along with literature on STEMI-equivalents and subtle occlusions. Our outcome measure was ETA time for culprit lesions, our process measure was website views/visits, and our balancing measure was the percentage of Code STEMIs without culprit lesions.ResultsThere were 51 culprit lesions in the baseline period, and 64 in the intervention period. Median ETA declined from 28.0 min (95% confidence interval [CI] 15.0–45.0) to 8.0 min (95%CI 6.0–15.0). The website garnered 70.4 views/week and 27.7 visitors/week in a group of 80 physicians. There was no change in percentage of Code STEMIs without culprit lesions: 28.2% (95%CI 17.8–38.6) to 20.0% (95%CI 11.2–28.8%).ConclusionsOur novel weekly web-based feedback to all emergency physicians was associated with a reduction in ETA time by 20 min, without increasing Code STEMIs without culprit lesions. Local ECG audit and feedback, guided by ETA as a quality metric for acute coronary occlusion, could be replicated in other settings to improve care.     

Cross-sectional study of healthcare accessibility in rural regions among patients with acute myocardial infarction

BackgroundPatients suffering from acute myocardial infarction (AMI), mainly with ST elevation (STEMI), are at a great disadvantage in rural regions due to the lack of nearby hospitals with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).ObjectiveThis study aimed to analyse AMI patients’ interhospital referrals in a rural emergency department (ED), as well as the factors contributing to its system delayMethodsA cross-sectional observational study was carried out. An analysis of hospital referral was conducted as well for time intervals: from the first medical contact (FMC), first electrocardiogram (ECG), contact with the PCI hospital, ED exit, and arrival at the catheterization laboratory ward.ResultsOf the 48 eligible patients, 62.5% suffered from STEMI, and 50.0% were transferred to a PCI hospital. The median time to coronary intervention facilities was 214 min. The median time spent in the ED was 131 min, and time spent in transport was 101 min. The time interval to the first ECG was 6 to 10 min.ConclusionsInterhospital referral of AMI patients in rural settings is inconsistent and often not in compliance with international guidelines. A long system delay time is related mainly to organizational issues. STEMI patients still experience significant delays in healthcare accessibility. Nurses’ timely execution and interpretation of ECG can improve healthcare accessibility.     

Comparison of the ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI) vs. NSTEMI and Occlusion MI (OMI) vs. NOMI Paradigms of Acute MI

BackgroundThe current ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) vs. non-STEMI (NSTEMI) paradigm prevents some NSTEMI patients with acute coronary occlusion from receiving emergent reperfusion, in spite of their known increased mortality compared with NSTEMI without occlusion. We have proposed a new paradigm known as occlusion MI vs. nonocclusion MI (OMI vs. NOMI).ObjectiveWe aimed to compare the two paradigms within a single population. We hypothesized that STEMI(–) OMI would have characteristics similar to STEMI(+) OMI but longer time to catheterization.MethodsWe performed a retrospective review of a prospectively collected acute coronary syndrome population. OMI was defined as an acute culprit and either TIMI 0–2 flow or TIMI 3 flow plus peak troponin T > 1.0 ng/mL. We collected electrocardiograms, demographic characteristics, laboratory results, angiographic data, and outcomes.ResultsAmong 467 patients, there were 108 OMIs, with only 60% (67 of 108) meeting STEMI criteria. Median peak troponin T for the STEMI(+) OMI, STEMI(–) OMI, and no occlusion groups were 3.78 (interquartile range [IQR] 2.18–7.63), 1.87 (IQR 1.12–5.48), and 0.00 (IQR 0.00–0.08). Median time from arrival to catheterization was 41 min (IQR 23–86 min) for STEMI(+) OMI compared with 437 min (IQR 85–1590 min) for STEMI(–) OMI (p < 0.001). STEMI(+) OMI was more likely than STEMI(–) OMI to undergo catheterization within 90 min (76% vs. 28%; p < 0.001).ConclusionsSTEMI(–) OMI patients had significant delays to catheterization but adverse outcomes more similar to STEMI(+) OMI than those with no occlusion. These data support the OMI/NOMI paradigm and the importance of further research into emergent reperfusion for STEMI(–) OMI.     

Initial emergency department mechanical ventilation strategies for COVID-19 hypoxemic respiratory failure and ARDS

IntroductionSevere acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is an emerging viral pathogen that causes the novel coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) and may result in hypoxemic respiratory failure necessitating invasive mechanical ventilation in the most severe cases.ObjectiveThis narrative review provides evidence-based recommendations for the treatment of COVID-19 related respiratory failure requiring invasive mechanical ventilation.DiscussionIn severe cases, COVID-19 leads to hypoxemic respiratory failure that may meet criteria for acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). The mainstay of treatment for ARDS includes a lung protective ventilation strategy with low tidal volumes (4–8 mL/kg predicted body weight), adequate positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP), and maintaining a plateau pressure of < 30 cm H₂O. While further COVID-19 specific studies are needed, current management should focus on supportive care, preventing further lung injury from mechanical ventilation, and treating the underlying cause.ConclusionsThis review provides evidence-based recommendations for the treatment of COVID-19 related respiratory failure requiring invasive mechanical ventilation.     

The effectiveness of high-dose intravenous vitamin C for patients with coronavirus disease 2019: A systematic review and meta-analysis

ObjectivesVitamin C has anti-inflammatory effects. This review aimed to investigate the therapeutic effect of high-dose intravenous vitamin C (HDIVC) in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).MethodsThe following key phrases were searched for article inclusion: “Vitamin C OR ascorbic acid” AND “COVID-19 OR coronavirus disease 2019 OR severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 OR SARS-CoV-2″. Articles that utilized HDIVC for the management of patients with COVID-19 were included, whereas review articles and case reports were excluded from this review. Moreover, we performed a meta-analysis to evaluate whether HDIVC can reduce the length of hospital stay and in-hospital mortality rate of patients with severe COVID-19.ResultsIn total, eight articles were included in this review, and five studies were included in the meta-analysis. The length of hospital stay was not significantly different between the HDIVC and control groups. Also, although our meta-analysis showed a tendency for HDIVC to reduce the in-hospital mortality rate in patients with severe COVID-19, the in-hospital mortality rate was not significantly different between patients treated with HDIVC and those who did not receive HDIVC.ConclusionsEvidence supporting the therapeutic use of HDICV in COVID-19 patients is lacking. Further studies are required for drawing a clear conclusion on this topic.     

Thymosin as a possible therapeutic drug for COVID-19: A case report

BACKGROUNDThere are no effective antiviral therapies for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) at present. Although most patients with COVID-19 have a mild or moderate course of disease, up to 5%-10% of patients may have a serious and potentially life-threatening condition, indicating an urgent need for effective therapeutic drugs. The therapeutic effect of thymosin on COVID-19 has not been previously studied. In this paper, for the first time we report a case of thymosin treatment of COVID-19.CASE SUMMARYA 51-year-old man with imported COVID-19 was admitted with definite symptoms of chest tightness, chest pain, and fatigue. The polymerase chain reaction results for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 were negative. The antibody test was positive, confirming the diagnosis of COVID-19. As many orally administered drugs were not well tolerated due to gastrointestinal symptoms, an emergency use of thymosin, a polypeptide consisting of 28 amino acids, was administered by injection. Finally, after the implementation of the treatment program, symptoms and lung imaging improved significantly.CONCLUSIONIn this case report, it is confirmed that thymosin may help alleviate the severity of COVID-19 symptoms.     

Comparative profile for COVID-19 cases from China and North America: Clinical symptoms,comorbidities and disease biomarkers

BACKGROUNDLarge inter-individual and inter-population differences in the susceptibility to and outcome of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 or coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) have been noted. Understanding these differences and how they influence vulnerability to infection and disease severity is critical to public health intervention. AIMTo analyze and compare the profile of COVID-19 cases between China and North America as two regions that differ in many environmental, host and healthcare factors related to disease risk.METHODSWe conducted a meta-analysis to examine and compare demographic information, clinical symptoms, comorbidities, disease severity and levels of disease biomarkers of COVID-19 cases from clinical studies and data from China (105 studies) and North America (19 studies). RESULTSCOVID-19 patients from North America were older than their Chinese counterparts and with higher male: Female ratio. Fever, cough, fatigue and dyspnea were the most common clinical symptoms in both study regions (present in about 30% to 75% of the cases in both regions). Meta-analysis for the prevalence of comorbidities (such as obesity, hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cancer, and chronic kidney diseases) in COVID-19 patients were all significantly more prevalent in North America compared to China. Comorbidities were positively correlated with age but at a significantly younger age range in China compared to North American. The most prevalent infection outcome was acute respiratory distress syndrome which was 2-fold more frequent in North America than in China. Levels of C-reactive protein were 4.5-fold higher in the North American cases than in cases from China.CONCLUSIONThe differences in the profile of COVID-19 cases from China and North America may relate to differences in environmental-, host- and healthcare-related factors between the two regions. Such inter-population differences-together with intra-population variability-underline the need to characterize the effect of health inequities and inequalities on public health response to COVID-19 and can assist in preparing for the re-emergence of the epidemic.     

ST Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction in the COVID-19 Era: Appraisal of the Evidence

The COVID-19 pandemic continues to present a public health challenge and has had a significant impact on the presentation, time-dependent management, and clinical outcomes of ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Patients with COVID-19 and pre-disposing cardiovascular risk factors like hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and diabetes mellitus are at a higher risk of developing STEMI, and global trends have highlighted delayed management of STEMI, which may contribute to worse clinical outcomes. Prolonged time to intervention has also resulted in an increased rate of no reflow, which is an independent risk factor for worse outcomes in these patients. Timely primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) remains standard of care for STEMI and can be attained within the recommended 90 minutes timeline from hospital presentation. A coordinated, safe, standardized, algorithmic approach among emergency medical services, emergency departments, and cardiac catheterization laboratory is needed to ensure optimal patient outcome during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. The focus of this case report is to highlight the challenges of PCI for ST elevation myocardial infarction in the COVID-19 era.     

Emergency Department Management of Severe Hypoxemic Respiratory Failure in Adults With COVID-19

BackgroundWhile emergency physicians are familiar with the management of hypoxemic respiratory failure, management of mechanical ventilation and advanced therapies for oxygenation in the emergency department have become essential during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.ObjectiveWe review the current evidence on hypoxemia in COVID-19 and place it in the context of known evidence-based management of hypoxemic respiratory failure in the emergency department.DiscussionCOVID-19 causes mortality primarily through the development of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), with hypoxemia arising from shunt, a mismatch of ventilation and perfusion. Management of patients developing ARDS should focus on mitigating derecruitment and avoiding volutrauma or barotrauma.ConclusionsHigh flow nasal cannula and noninvasive positive pressure ventilation have a more limited role in COVID-19 because of the risk of aerosolization and minimal benefit in severe cases, but can be considered. Stable patients who can tolerate repositioning should be placed in a prone position while awake. Once intubated, patients should be managed with ventilation strategies appropriate for ARDS, including targeting lung-protective volumes and low pressures. Increasing positive end-expiratory pressure can be beneficial. Inhaled pulmonary vasodilators do not decrease mortality but may be given to improve refractory hypoxemia. Prone positioning of intubated patients is associated with a mortality reduction in ARDS and can be considered for patients with persistent hypoxemia. Neuromuscular blockade should also be administered in patients who remain dyssynchronous with the ventilator despite adequate sedation. Finally, patients with refractory severe hypoxemic respiratory failure in COVID-19 should be considered for venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.     

Cardiac injury is associated with mortality and critically ill pneumonia in COVID-19: A meta-analysis

BackgroundIn this systematic review and meta-analysis, we aimed to explore the association between cardiac injury and mortality, the need for intensive care unit (ICU) care, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), and severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in patients with COVID-19 pneumonia.MethodsWe performed a comprehensive literature search from several databases. Definition of cardiac injury follows that of the included studies, which includes highly sensitive cardiac troponin I (hs-cTnl) >99th percentile.The primary outcome was mortality, and the secondary outcomes were ARDS, the need for ICU care, and severe COVID-19. ARDS and severe COVID-19 were defined per the World Health Organization (WHO) interim guidance of severe acute respiratory infection (SARI) of COVID-19.ResultsThere were a total of 2389 patients from 13 studies. This meta-analysis showed that cardiac injury was associated with higher mortality (RR 7.95 [5.12, 12.34], p < 0.001; I²: 65%). Cardiac injury was associated with higher need for ICU care (RR 7.94 [1.51, 41.78], p = 0.01; I²: 79%), and severe COVID-19 (RR 13.81 [5.52, 34.52], p < 0.001; I²: 0%). The cardiac injury was not significant for increased risk of ARDS (RR 2.57 [0.96, 6.85], p = 0.06; I²: 84%). The level of hs-cTnI was higher in patients with primary + secondary outcome (mean difference 10.38 pg/mL [4.44, 16.32], p = 0.002; I²: 0%).ConclusionCardiac injury is associated with mortality, need for ICU care, and severity of disease in patients with COVID-19.     

Primary Angioplasty in Patient with St-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction in the Setting of Intentional Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

Background

ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) due to coronary artery occlusion in the setting of acute carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning is a very rare presentation.

Objective

Our aim was to report on the use of primary angioplasty in a patient with STEMI in the setting of CO poisoning.

Case Report

A 36-year-old man with retrosternal chest pain was admitted after exposure to CO. The initial electrocardiogram (ECG) showed ST depression in I, aVL, and V3−V4 with slight ST elevation in II, III, aVF leads. Toxic carboxyhemoglobin level of 22% and troponin I of 2.19 μg/L were confirmed. After oxygen therapy the chest pain diminished, but after about 15 h it returned. The repeat ECG revealed normalization of previous ST depression with persistent ST elevation in II, III, aVF leads. The troponin I concentration was 5.94 μg/L. An echocardiogram demonstrated an apex hypokinesia involving the adjacent segments of the anterior and lateral wall. On the coronary angiogram, an acute occlusion of the distal left anterior descending coronary artery was confirmed. Primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) of the infarct-related artery was performed. After PCI, the patient was symptom free and had partial ST-segment elevation resolution. The patient was discharged home after 7 days, with persistent ST-T changes and mild hypokinesia of the apex suggesting myocardial injury.

Conclusions

Patients with toxic CO exposure who have symptoms of STEMI should be carefully evaluated with serial ECG, cardiac necrosis marker measurements, and an echocardiogram. When there is evidence of myocardial injury, a wider use of coronary angiography can identify patients who could benefit from PCI.