Acute Cor Pulmonale in Critically Ill Patients with Covid-19

This correspondence reports on five critically ill COVID-19 patients who developed acute cor pulmonale (right ventricular failure), likely secondary to pulmonary thromboembolism. Four patients experienced cardiac arrest with pulseless electrical activity, and three did not survive. Echocardiography revealed right ventricular dilation and hypokinesis in all patients, with some showing intracardiac thrombi. One case improved following thrombolytic therapy. The authors suggest that acute cor pulmonale should be considered in the differential diagnosis of sudden hemodynamic collapse in COVID-19 patients, highlighting the need for heightened awareness and further evaluation of anticoagulation and advanced interventions in this context.

This correspondence reports on five critically ill COVID-19 patients who developed acute cor pulmonale (right ventricular failure), likely secondary to pulmonary thromboembolism. Four patients experienced cardiac arrest with pulseless electrical activity, and three did not survive. Echocardiography revealed right ventricular dilation and hypokinesis in all patients, with some showing intracardiac thrombi. One case improved following thrombolytic therapy. The authors suggest that acute cor pulmonale should be considered in the differential diagnosis of sudden hemodynamic collapse in COVID-19 patients, highlighting the need for heightened awareness and further evaluation of anticoagulation and advanced interventions in this context.