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Arrhythmias in COVID-19

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Cardiovascular Complications of COVID-19

Part of the book series: Contemporary Cardiology ((CONCARD))

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Abstract

Arrhythmias are common in general population and its influence on outcome is dependent on underlying heart disease. Any comorbidity both acute and chronic can aggravate or trigger existing heart rhythm disturbances. Medication commonly used to treat infection can prolong QT interval in sensitive individuals and led to life-threatening arrhythmias. During early phase of COVID-19 pandemic 34% drop in emergency admissions due to arrhythmia was observed. The virus can affect a heart directly or due to general involvement, mainly lungs, kidneys, thromboembolic events or cytokine storm. In 61.4% patients admitted to hospital due to SARS-CoV-2 infection at least one ECG abnormality was observed. The number of ECG changes correspond with mortality during hospitalization. The most frequent electrocardiographic findings are T-wave abnormalities and QTc prolongation. Among various arrhythmias sinus tachycardia, atrial fibrillation, and premature ventricular complexes are observed the most frequently. The latter one increases 14 times the likelihood of thromboembolic events. Presence of arrhythmia at admission to hospital also increases mortality. QTc prolonging drug (antiviral and antibacterial) used separately or in combination although produce this phenomenon seemed not to trigger malignant arrhythmias. Treatment of arrhythmias during COVID-19 infection in general does not differ from general rules.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Medicine Faculty, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznań, Poland

    Maria Mitkowska & Jakub Langa

  2. 1st Department of Cardiology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznań, Poland

    Przemysław Mitkowski

Authors
  1. Maria Mitkowska
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  2. Jakub Langa
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Correspondence to Przemysław Mitkowski .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Preventive Cardiology and Lipidology, Medical University of Lodz, Łódź, Poland

    Maciej Banach

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Mitkowska, M., Langa, J., Mitkowski, P. (2022). Arrhythmias in COVID-19. In: Banach, M. (eds) Cardiovascular Complications of COVID-19. Contemporary Cardiology. Humana, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-15478-2_11

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-15478-2_11

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  • Publisher Name: Humana, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-031-15477-5

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-031-15478-2

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

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