Acute Cor Pulmonale in COVID-19-Related ARDS: Improvement With Almitrine Infusion

JACC Case Rep. 2020 Jul 15;2(9):1311-1314. doi: 10.1016/j.jaccas.2020.06.011. Epub 2020 Jun 16.

Abstract

Coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19)-related severe acute respiratory distress syndrome can lead to acute cor pulmonale. We report a case of acute cor pulmonale secondary to severe COVID-19 acute respiratory distress syndrome diagnosed with transesophageal echocardiography. Almitrine infusion allowed rapid enhancement of right ventricular function as well as improvement in oxygenation. (Level of Difficulty: Intermediate.).

Keywords: ACE2, angiotensin-converting enzyme 2; ACP, acute cor pulmonale; ARDS; ARDS, acute respiratory distress syndrome; CI, cardiac index; COVID-19; COVID-19, coronavirus disease-19; CT, computed tomography; Fio2, fraction of inspired oxygen; Pao2, partial pressure of oxygen; RV, right ventricle; RVSWI, right ventricular stroke work index; SARS-CoV-2; SARS-CoV-2, severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2; TEE, transesophageal echocardiography; acute cor pulmonale; almitrine.

Publication types

  • Case Reports