Asystole in a COVID-19 patient without systemic illness: a case report

Abstract

There is growing evidence that patients with severe systemic illness from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) are at risk for developing a variety of cardiac arrhythmias. Less is known about patients with milder symptoms. Here, we report on the case of a 62-year-old male, admitted to the hospital following an episode of syncope, who experienced multiple episodes of cardiac arrest due to asystole lasting up to 30 seconds. History revealed a recent asymptomatic COVID-19 infection, and recurrent episodes of prolonged asystole necessitated permanent pacemaker placement. To our knowledge, this is the first report of an asymptomatic COVID-19 patient experiencing prolonged asystole. Cardiac arrhythmias in asymptomatic or oligosymptomatic COVID-19 patients may be underestimated.

Sinus Arrest in Asymptomatic COVID-19 Infection

“…An additional report describes episodes of asystole in a patient who had previously tested positive for COVID-19 and denied viral symptomatology. The patient’s laboratory workup was significant for leukocytosis, lactic acidosis, and elevated creatinine kinase which would indicate a possible ongoing systemic or inflammatory response [ 6 ]. Similarly, our patient experienced two episodes of syncope and subsequent transient sinus arrest in the setting of completely asymptomatic COVID-19 infection without systemic illness.…”