High-degree atrioventricular block in COVID-19 hospitalized patients

Aims The novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 has shown the potential to significantly affect the cardiovascular system. Cardiac arrhythmias are commonly reported complications in COVID-19 hospitalized patients. Methods and results While tachyarrhythmias seem most common, we describe four cases of COVID-19 patients who developed a transient high-degree atrioventricular (AV) block during the course of their hospitalization. All four patients who developed a high-degree AV block during their hospitalization with COVID-19 did not require permanent pacing. Conclusion Similarly to most AV blocks associated with infectious organisms and given its transient nature, this case series suggests that conservative management strategies should be preferred in COVID-19 patients who develop complete heart block.

Automated summary

The novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 has the potential to significantly affect the cardiovascular system, with cardiac arrhythmias being a commonly reported complication in COVID-19 hospitalized patients. This study describes four cases of COVID-19 patients developing a transient high-degree atrioventricular (AV) block during hospitalization, all of which did not require permanent pacing. Conservative management strategies may be preferred for COVID-19 patients who develop complete heart block, given its transient nature.