COVID-19 and the Risk of Pulmonary Embolism: ECG Findings Can Help

Editorial

We appreciate the kind invitation to provide an update on an aspect of our study published before [1]. Therefore, we decided to further discuss the Pulmonary Embolism (PE) in patients with COVID-19.

COVID-19 pandemic has affected many countries and their health-care system. COVID-19 also imposes significant diagnostic challenges because of its wide range of complications [2]. Evidence shows that COVID-19 can cause a hypercoagulable state and increases the risk of thromboembolism [3]. The radiological appearance of PE in patients with COVID-19 might differ from COVID-19 (-) patients, and the clots are dominantly seen in peripheral zones [4,5]. This fact supports the idea that COVID-19 can cause PE by in-situ immune thrombosis, and the clots might originate from lung vessels rather than deep veins [6]. There is an overlap between signs and symptoms of COVID-19 infection and pulmonary embolism, making the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism challenging [7]. Elevated D-dimer levels may come to our help and increase our suspect for PE, but it is still not specific to the diagnosis of Venous Thromboembolism (VTE) [8]. Anticoagulant therapy may increase the patients’ survival rate [9].

Dyspnea, chest pain, and tachypnea are common in both PTE and COVID-19 infection. Hemoptysis has also been described as a rare COVID clinical symptom (0-5 %) [10], while this number is 13% for patients with PE [11].

In the case reported by Casey et al. [7], a 42 years old COVID-19 positive male presented with pleuritic chest pain, dyspnea, and hemoptysis. In the physical exam, he was tachypneic, and auscultation revealed bibasilar rhonchi. Electrocardiography demonstrated right axis deviation and an S1Q3T3 pattern with flattening of the T-waves in the II, III, aVL and aVF. These findings increased the probability of PE. Also, Laboratory evaluation showed a D-dimer of 4.8μg/dl. So a Computerized Tomography Angiography (CTA) of the chest was obtained. CTA demonstrated bilateral segmental pulmonary emboli and peripheral ground-glass opacities caused by COVID-19 pneumonia.

However, sometimes everything becomes more complicated. In the case reported by Ioan et al. [12], a 61 years old male with a history of hypertension treated with Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitor (ACEI) presented with dyspnea and cough. His blood pressure was normal, his heart and respiratory rates were 136 and 30, and oxygen saturation was <85% on room air. His Electrocardiogram (ECG) showed sinus tachycardia, ST depression in I, aVL, and V2-V4, and ST-segment elevation in II, III, aVF. An Echocardiography was obtained, which showed RV dilatation, interventricular septal shift, RV lateral wall akinesia, and a pulmonary arterial systolic pressure of >60mmHg. His hypoxemia was refractory to invasive mechanical ventilation, so he was intubated and underwent invasive mechanical ventilation without response. For this patient thrombolytic treatment was started due to suspicion of PE. The patient started improving. CTA confirmed PE with a finding of diffuse bilateral ground-glass opacities consistent with COVID-19 pneumonia. A coronary angiogram showed no significant coronary stenosis.

In this case, no obvious sign or symptom, such as pleuritic chest pain or hemoptysis, could lead to PE diagnosis at first. In ECG, there was no flattening of the T-waves or S1Q3T3 pattern, and the patient had a normal axis. Although PE can present with an ST-segment elevation in anteroseptal leads (V1-V4) [13], it is a rare finding that can be mistaken for ST-elevation myocardial infarction. However, in the discussed patient, RV overload and severe pulmonary hypertension with refractory hypoxemia could lead us to PE diagnosis [12].

Conclusion

In conclusion, diagnosing COVID-19 complications such as PE can be challenging as COVID-19 can mask their sign and symptoms. We should be aware of any signs or symptoms that can lead us to diagnose these complications. ECG is a low-cost and widely available tool that may give valuable clues to help us diagnose PE. Some ECG signs raise suspicions for PE, such as right axis deviation, S1Q3T3 pattern, or the flattening of T waves. As we saw in an above-discussed case, even an ST-segment elevation in anteroseptal leads can lead us to PE diagnosis.

References

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