New-onset atrial fibrillation in patients with SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia as a manifestation of acute myocardial injury

BACKGROUND: Over the past 3 years, the prevalence of atrial fibrillation (AF) has increased significantly worldwide, which was associated with the pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2. It is accompanied by an increase in the cases of ischemic stroke, myocardial infarction, and development of heart failure due to acute myocardial injury. Given the high lethality of SARS-CoV-2 infection (COVID-19), studying the characteristics of new-onset AF is essential. AIM: The study aims at determining the predictors of new-onset AF in patients with COVID-19 pneumonia and at analyzing the clinical and pathophysiological characteristics of acute myocardial injury. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In 36 patients aged 4482 years (average 68.0) with COVID-19 pneumonia, AF paroxysms were recorded for the first time. All of them underwent computed tomography of the chest, electrocardiography, and echocardiography. The left ventricular ejection fraction was calculated using the Simpson method. Oxygen saturation was determined as blood oxygen saturation. Clinical blood tests were performed, C-reactive protein (CRP), ferritin, D-dimer, fibrinogen, and troponin I levels were measured. RESULTS: Along with the well-known predictors of AF development (arterial hypertension, coronary heart disease, left ventricular myocardial hypertrophy, and left atrial dilatation), with COVID-19 pneumonia, new-onset AF paroxysms were recorded in patients of the middle, elderly, and late-life age. In 44.4% of patients with AF, cardiomegaly occurred with dilatation of both atria and ventricles. With decreased left ventricular ejection fraction, the incidence of AF paroxysms reached 61.5%. With preserved ejection fraction, AF paroxysms occurred much less frequently (27%). In patients with AF, the extent of lung damage is on average 62.5% (2080%) with oxygen support saturation of 93% (7697%). Serum troponin I levels of 2000 ng/L indicated acute myocardial injury. CRP and blood ferritin values confirmed the presence of a pronounced inflammatory component in myocardial injury. High concentrations of blood fibrinogen and D-dimer, reaching 16,301 ng/mL, were associated with a tendency to hypercoagulation in patients with AF and COVID-19 pneumonia. CONCLUSIONS: COVID-19 has a direct damaging effect on the myocardium and probably persists for a long time, which may induce AF in patients with acute pneumonia.