Doctors at Fortis Hospital, treated a 31-year-old man, who suffered from a cardiac arrest after testing positive for COVID 19. The patient’s arteries were 100% blocked even though he did not have any prior cardiac issues and had lived a very healthy life. The pain in his chest rose abruptly and he was rushed to Fortis Hospital Shalimar Bagh, where his case was handled by a team of doctors led by Dr Manish Gunjan (Additional Director – FHSB, Interventional Cardiology).
On presentation, the patient was having difficulty breathing and the pain in his chest was worsening. A rapid antigen COVID test was done which displayed negative result, but doctors went ahead with a RT PCR test as per procedure which displayed that the patient is COVID positive. Patient presented with extensive heart attack with giving no history of major cardiac risk factor so immediate decision was taken to do coronary angiography meantime his sample for rapid COVID antigen & rctpcr test sample was taken. While shifting the patient from emergency room to Cath lab patient had cardiac arrest, CPR was done & revived & immediately coronary angiography was done. This revealed main artery of the heart (LAD) was 100 % blocked, after informed consent from attendant angioplasty & stenting to that artery was done, patient got stabilized, his rapid antigen for COVID -19 was negative. Since RTCPR takes time till that time patient was managed with post angioplasty protocol, late on his RTPCR came out to be positive.
Dr Manish Gunjan said about the operation, “The patient did not have any family history of cardiac issues, was not overweight, did not smoke or consume alcohol and exercise regularly. When he was brought to us, he exhibited symptoms of COVID-19 and on testing, he was COVID positive. Since there was no prior history of cardiac ailments and researched indicated the virus had had a detrimental effect on the heart, we corelated the same. We conducted angioplasty & stenting of main artery within half an hour. All health care workers took precaution to avoid spreading of the virus like PPE kits etc. The post-surgical period was smooth and uneventful. The patient was able to walk the next day itself.”
Mr. Mahipal Bhanot, Zonal Director, Fortis Hospital Shalimar Bagh said, “The commitment of our doctors to their patients is truly outstanding. They often put their own health and safety at risk, making every effort they can to ensure the best possible outcomes. In this case, it was timely action which saved the patient’s life. We will continue to do our best for our patients and fight for them amid the pandemic to the best of our abilities.”
Although lung injury and acute respiratory distress symptoms have been the most dreaded complications of COVID, it needs to be understood that COVID can lead to heart injuries as well. Patients who are COVID positive have displayed elevated levels of cardiac troponin which is a protein released in the body by the injured heart muscle and they have also showcased abnormalities on electrocardiograms and heart ultrasounds. Several reports have also affirmed that cardiac injury can be a part of coronavirus induced harm. The virus also poses a severe threat to patients with existing heart diseases.
This is a press release and Dainik Samvaad was not editorially involved in writing this copy.