A tale of two extremities: A dynamic case of Covid-19 induced hypokalemia and bradycardia leading into Torsade's de pointes
Author(s) -
Saquib Navid Siddiqui,
Muhammad Memon,
Sonam Tshering,
Tanveer Hasan,
Asheer Jawed,
Pranav Jha,
Roland Jayasekhar
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
annals of medicine and surgery
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.391
H-Index - 23
ISSN - 2049-0801
DOI - 10.1016/j.amsu.2021.102416
Subject(s) - hypokalemia , medicine , torsades de pointes , bradycardia , presentation (obstetrics) , cardiology , covid-19 , qt interval , u wave , disease , anesthesia , surgery , infectious disease (medical specialty) , heart rate , blood pressure
As researchers and academics around the world scramble ahead to dissect and analyse every aspect of the SARS-CoV2 virus, one such study explored the various underlying electrolyte abnormalities that were precipitated in patients suffering from a confirmed COVID-19 infection. A significant proportion of such patients were noted to be hypokalemic. Hypokalemia can be life threatening as it is known to cause cardiac arrhythmia.Case presentationOur encounter with said presentation was incidental. The on-call medical team was involved in a cardiac arrest call for a 74-year -old gentleman who developed torsades de pointes, Retrospective analysis of the clinical picture pointed out the fact that he was found to be persistently hypokalemic and bradycardic solely triggered as a result of COVID-19.ConclusionAlthough initially thought to be a pulmonary disease but along with time extra-pulmonary manifestations of Covid-19 has demonstrated significant consequences. Electrolyte abnormalities and cardiac dysfunction are examples of such extra-pulmonary pathologies. Therefore, it is important to keep close monitoring for such abnormalities otherwise could lead into life threatening arrythmias.
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