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The COVID-19 infection, which is caused by the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, has rapidly emerged as a global public health issue. Cardiac complications secondary to this infection are common and associated with mortality. This study aimed to evaluate whether subclinical myocardial dysfunction exists in non-hospitalized mildly symptomatic COVID-19 patients using left ventricular global longitudinal strain (LVGLS). In this cross-sectional, single-center study, data were collected from non-hospitalized mildly symptomatic COVID-19 patients between January 01 and February 01, 2021. Fifty (26 male, 24 female) COVID-19 patients and 50 age- and sex-matched healthy volunteers were included in the study. Apical four-, three-, and two-chamber images were analyzed longitudinally by conventional methods and speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) for left ventricle functions. The mean age of the COVID-19 patients was 39.5 ± 8.96, and 52% of them were male. The most prevalent presenting symptoms were fever [in 34 (68%)], asthenia [in 30 (60%)], loss of appetite [in 21 (42%)], myalgia [in 20 (40%)], and cough [in 13 (26%)]. Plasma levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) were significantly higher in the COVID-19 patients than in the controls (10.84 ± 12.44 vs. 4.50 ± 2.81, p < 0.001). There was no significant difference between the groups in terms of standard echocardiography and Doppler parameters (p > 0.05). Left ventricular longitudinal strain and strain velocity parameters were significantly decreased in COVID-19 patients compared to healthy individuals. LV-GLS values (− 21.72 ± 3.85% vs. − 23.11 ± 4.16%; p = 0.003) were significantly lower in COVID-19 patients compared with the healthy controls. Mildly symptomatic COVID-19 patients also have subclinical myocardial dysfunction similar to hospitalized patients. STE has the potential for detecting subclinical LV systolic dysfunction, and can provide useful information regarding cardiac status in mildly symptomatic COVID-19 population.

SummaryPulmonary embolism (PE) is a potentially life-threatening condition and the fact that 90% of PE originate from lower limb veins highlights the significance of early detection and treatment of deep vein thrombosis.1) Massive/high risk PE involving circulatory collapse or systemic arterial hypotension is associated with an early mortality rate of approximately 50%, in part from right ventricular (RV) failure.2) Intermediate risk/submassive PE, on the other hand, is defined as PE-related RV dysfunction, troponin and/or B-type natriuretic peptide elevation despite normal arterial pressure. 3)Without prompt treatment, patients with intermediate risk PE may progress to the massive category with a potentially fatal outcome. In patients with PE and right ventricular dysfunction (RVD), in hospital mortality ranges from 5% to 17%, significantly higher than in patients without RVD. 4,5) (Int Heart J 2016; 57: 91-95)

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Iatrogenic left main coronary artery dissection is a rare but potentially life-threatening complication of invasive coronary procedures. The newer generation drug eluting stents have shown a greater safety and efficacy compared to first generation drug eluting stents. We report a 60-year-old woman with iatrogenic left main coronary artery dissection who failed bailout stenting and underwent coronary artery bypass grafting. The strategy for managing left main coronary artery dissection is variable and depends upon the mechanism, the comorbidities of the patient and degree of hemodynamic stability. Longitudinal stent deformation is a rarely encountered complication but can be seen in complex lesions such as ostial, bifurcation and left main coronary artery lesions. The interventionists must be aware of this complication.

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Background: The COVID 19 infection, which is caused by the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, has rapidly emerged as a global public health issue. Cardiac complications secondary to this infection are common and associated with mortality. This study aimed to evaluate whether subclinical myocardial dysfunction using left ventricular global longitudinal strain (LVGLS) in non-hospitalized mildly symptomatic COVID-19 patients.Methods: In this cross-sectional, single-center study, data were collected from non-hospitalized mildly symptomatic COVID-19 patients between January 01 and February 01, 2021. Fifty (26 male, 24 female) COVID-19 patients and 50 age- and sex-matched healthy volunteers have included in the study. Apical four-, three-, and two-chamber images were analyzed longitudinally by conventional methods and speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) for left ventricle functions.Results: The mean age of the COVID-19 patients was 39.55±8.96, 52% of them were male. The most prevalent presenting symptoms were fever (in 34 (68%)), asthenia (in 30 (60%)), loss of appetite (in 21 (42%)), myalgia (in 20 (40%)), and cough (in 13 (26%)). Plasma levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) were significantly higher in the COVID-19 patients than in the controls (10.84±12.44 vs. 4.50±2.81, p < 0.001). There was no significant difference between the groups in terms of standard echocardiography and Doppler parameters (p>0.05). Left ventricular longitudinal strain and strain velocity parameters were significantly decreased in COVID-19 patients compared to healthy individuals. LV-GLS values (-21,72 ± 3,85% vs. -23,11 ± 4,16%; P =0,003) were significantly lower in COVID-19 patients when compared with the healthy controls.Conclusion: Mildly symptomatic COVID-19 patients also have subclinical myocardial dysfunction similar to hospitalized patients. STE has the potential for detecting subclinical LV systolic dysfunction and can provide useful information on the risk stratification in the mildly symptomatic COVID-19 population.