Right ventricular outflow tract PVC during COVID-19 infection. Is there
a fortuitous link?
Abstract
Covid-19 is a respiratory illness caused by coronavirus SARS-1CoV-2.
High levels of cytokines, particularly interleukin 6 (IL-6) are found in
Covid-19 patients. IL-6 induce sympathetic hyperactivation that trig
premature ventricular contraction (PVC). Ten point five percentage of
Covid-19 patients of our Hospital developed right outflow tract (RVOT)
PVC associated to high value of IL-6. After administration of
Tocilizumab (IL-6 antagonist) once the infection was resolved, the PVC
disappeared. Are the increased values of IL-6 an aspect of myocardial
RVOT initial inflammation and fibrosis, or the effect of the high
pulmonary pressure and RV pressure overload that determine myocardial
stretch and subsequent PVC? The question of whether the elevation of
this inflammatory biomarker is the cause or consequence of ventricular
arrhythmia manifestation.