A new infectious outbreak sustained by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is now spreading all around the world. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prognostic value of left ventricular global longitudinal strain (LV-GLS) and right ventricular longitudinal strain (RV-LS) in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). In this prospective, single-center study, data were gathered from patients treated for COVID-19 between April 15 and April 30, 2020. Two-dimensional echocardiography (2-DE) and speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) images were obtained for all patients. Patients were divided into three groups: those with severe COVID-19 infection, those with non-severe COVID-19 infection, and those without COVID-19 infection (the control group). Data regarding clinical characteristics and laboratory findings were obtained from electronic medical records. The primary endpoint was in-hospital mortality. A total of 100 patients hospitalized for COVID-19 were included in this study. The mean age of the severe group (n = 44) was 59.1 ± 12.9, 40% of whom were male. The mean age of the non-severe group (n = 56) was 53.7 ± 15.1, 58% of whom were male. Of these patients, 22 died in the hospital. In patients in the severe group, LV-GLS and RV-LS were decreased compared to patients in the non-severe and control groups (LV-GLS:
A 64-year-old woman was admitted to our emergency department with shortness of breath and palpitation which started 2 h before her admission. She had a history of rheumatic mitral valve disease and was on drug treatment with warfarin and metoprolol. The patient was orthopneic, blood pressure was 108/68 mmHg with an irregular pulse with a heart rate of 158 beats per minute, and respiratory rate was 23 times per minute. Her electrocardiogram was consistent with atrial fibrillation with rapid ventricular response. For pharmacological cardioversion the patient was given amiodarone intravenous loading dose of 300 mg in 30 min. After 10 min of infusion the patient complained of pruritus and skin rash consistent with urticaria. At the same time the patient had dyspnea and bronchoconstriction was noted on both lung fields. The blood pressure was measured as 64/40 mmHg. The patient was taken to intensive care unit and supportive treatment for anaphylactic shock was given. Amiodarone is a class III antiarrhythmic agent frequently used in the management of atrial fibrillation. This potentially fatal complication of amiodarone should be kept in mind by clinicians and before administration patients should be questioned about previous allergic reactions including previous iodine or iodinated contrast media. Alternative agents should be considered in these conditions.
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