IJCRR

IJCRR - 2nd Wave of COVID-19: Role of Social Awareness, Health and Technology Sector, June, 2021

Pages: 67-70

Date of Publication: 11-Jun-2021

Early Pulmonary Hypertension in COVID 19 Patient: A Case Report

Author: Nimkar SV, Dubey A, Talwar D, Kumar S

Category: Healthcare

Abstract:Introduction: This COVID 19 pandemic has altered the routine practices and the acute management of PAH patients. Patients with pre-existing PAH are very sensitive to the changes in their cardiopulmonary status. Objective: To study a case of early pulmonary hypertension in COVID 19. Case Report: A 45-year-old male presented with complaints of breathlessness at rest for 15 days which was gradually progressive. PCR was done and tested positive. The patient was treated for the same with negative PCR repeated report after 14 days and then again patient presented with the above complaints after 14 days of discharge. COVID-19 infection poses a bizarre threat to the vulnerable population with PAH. The inpatient needs have been increased during the pandemic. Observations: PAH patients had great difficulty in surviving the interventions which pose a significant cost during a pandemic that is stretching the health care system. So far, we have not seen many PAH patients with COVID-19 infections, and most of them have had favorable outcomes. This reflects the ability of these patients to isolate and quarantine themselves properly. Also, we are approaching having a successful treatment option or a vaccination for COVID-19 shortly. Conclusion: In the current report, PH was associated with clinical, imaging and laboratory findings of more severe post-COVID-19 and with no morbid outcomes. A final decision is yet to be made. We believe it is important to screen for COVID-19 infection in all patients.

Keywords: COVID 19, Pulmonary hypertension, 2d echo, Mortality, Pandemic

Full Text:

Introduction

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is primary (idiopathic) or secondary to a variety of underlying conditions like pulmonary, cardiovascular or systemic conditions.^1,2 A prolonged elevation of pulmonary arterial pressure to more than 25 mm Hg at rest or more than 30 mm Hg with exercise, with mean pulmonary-capillary wedge pressure and left ventricular end-diastolic pressure of less than 15 mm Hg, is known as pulmonary arterial hypertension.³ Histologically, the appearance of lung tissue is similar in each condition: intimal fibrosis, increased medial thickness, pulmonary arterial occlusion, and plexiform lesions predominate.⁴

The COVID-19 pandemic has exhibited many peculiar challenges when caring for patients with pulmonary hypertension (PH), particularly the patients with pre-existing pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), and chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH). The presence of whether pre-existing PH or PH as a direct result of the lung injury that occurs post COVID-19 infection, or cardiomyopathy resulted from COVID-19 infection, or other comorbidity is likely to be a major contributor to the morbidity and mortality associated with COVID-19 infection.^5,6

We report a case of a 45-year-old male with Bilateral Pleural Effusion with Mild ascites and Grade III Renal parenchymal disease (RPD) who had an asymptomatic course of COVID-19 infection who tested positive for infection by screening.

Case Presentation

A 45-year-old male presented with complaints of pedal oedema and distension of the abdomen for 6 days. He also had complaints of breathlessness at rest for 15 days which was gradually progressive.   14 days back   On the previous admission, due to the current COVID-19 pandemic and as per our local strategy to eliminate COVID-19 infection among the population nasopharyngeal swab to screen for COVID-19, PCR was done and tested positive. Patient treated for same and PCR report repeated after 14 days it was negative (JNMC/COV/10175/2020) patient was discharged and then again patient presented with above complaints after 14 days discharge. On general examination: Pulse: 90/min, BP: 100/70mmHg, Oxygen saturation on room air was 95%, respiratory rate: 24/min. On abdominal examination: Distended abdomen with free fluid present in the abdomen, shifting dullness present. On respiratory examination: Dull percussion note, reduced breath sounds in both lung bases with bronchial breathing over the left infra-scapular area.

Blood investigations revealed-CBC investigations on cell count with PS showed 9.4 g/dL Hb, 31.2 g/dl MCHC, 72.5 p MCV, and 22.6 pg MCH. Total RBC count was 4.16 million/mm³, 7800/ microlitre, and 2.49/microlitre of blood. Prothrombin Time of 12.5 seconds, APTT 30.20 seconds, INR: 1.28.CK-MB value 29 IU/L.  random blood sugar 151 mg/dL, Calcium: 6.g/dl,  KFT showed Urea: 45 mg/dl, Creatinine: 1.2 mg/dl, Serum sodium: 146 mmol/L, Serum potassium: 4.7 mmol/L, LFT showed Serum albumin: 3.9 g/dl,  alkaline phosphatase level was 55 IU/L. Albumin(3.9g/dL), Bilirubin conjugated(0.2 mg/dL), bilirubin unconjugated (0.7 mg/dL), globulin (3.8 g/dL), SGPT (50 U/L), SGOT (34 U/L), total protein (7.7 g/dL), and total bilirubin (0.9 mg/dL) Lipid profile showed total cholesterol of 170 mg/dL, triglycerides value was 102 mg/dL dHDL, LDL, and VLDL values of 57mg/dL, 93mg/dL, and 20 mg/dL.Arterial blood gas (ABG) test showed 7.4 pH, 36.3 mmHg PCO2, and 110 mmHg PO2. Hepatitis B/Hepatitis C/ HIV status of this patient was negative (Figure 1).

2D Echo showed dilated right atrium, tricuspid regurgitant velocity 3.2 m/sec, systolic pulmonary artery pressure 44mmhg, left ventricle (LV), hypokinetic Inferior wall(IW) and Anterior wall (AW). Motion mode (M.mode) of 2D echo showed LVIDD value of 5.5cm, LVIDS value of 4.5cm, IVs value is 10, posterior wall is 10, EF value is  30%, LA is 4.0cm. Dilated LV, severe pulmonary hypertension, mild AR, severe TR, Grade 3 diastolic dysfunction. IVC congested and non-collpsing (Figure 2).

A coronary angiography report showed mild coronary artery disease (CAD). HRCT scan of the thorax showed moderate pleural effusion on both sides with basal lung atelectasis with subsegmental collapse consolidation on the left basal lung. The severity score was 0/25 indicating no obvious abnormality in bilateral lung fields.

The treatment regime followed for the patient during his hospital stay was as given:

• Injection Heparin 2500 IU

• Injection NTG 100mcg

• Injection Dilzem 5mg

The patient was discharged after treatment and waiting for follow up.

Discussion

Patients with pre-existing PAH are very sensitive to the changes in their cardiopulmonary status. Any interruption of care or the emergence of new cardiac or pulmonary pathology may result in death. In PAH, hospitalization is a risk factor for disease development. A newly available case series suggested that 86% of critically ill COVID-19-infected patients had heart failure and chronic kidney disease as the most common underlying medical conditions.⁷ PAH patients have shown to have worse outcomes with all-cause hospitalizations.⁵ One should always keep in mind that COVID-19 infection may lead to hypoxemia leading to hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction, which increases pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) resulting in decompensation of a high-risk PAH patient.⁷ Keep oxygen saturation above 92%, continuing oral and parenteral therapies like phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors (PDE5i), soluble guanylate cyclase stimulator (sGC), endothelin receptor antagonist (ERA), oral prostacyclin, oral prostaglandin I2 receptor agonist (PGI2) and intravenous or subcutaneous prostacyclins while treating with concurrent therapies for COVID-19 infection are recommended. As per institutional guidelines, continuing treatment with investigational therapies for COVID-19 infection along with the PAH treatment is also recommended.

COVID-19 infection poses a bizarre threat to the vulnerable population with PAH. PAH patients had great difficulty in surviving the interventions which posses a significant cost during a pandemic that is stretching the health care system. There is a shortage of ventilators during the COVID-19 pandemic, which poses even further concern for their utility in this population. A study done by Pagnesi et al. in 2020 stated that the prevalence of PH was 12.0%. Patients with PH were older and had a higher burden of pre-existing cardiac comorbidities and signs of more severe acute respiratory syndrome in COVID-19 infection.⁸

Lee and colleagues in their study found that the cumulative incidence of recognized COVID-19 was similar to the general population. However, outcomes were worse, with a 50% rate of hospitalization and a 12% mortality rate in patients with PAH and CTEPH affected by COVID-19. The fact that incidence was higher in higher prevalence states seems to validate the conclusion that the rate is probably similar to the general population.⁹ A small survey and other COVID-19 PAH/CTEPH series reported to date have suggested that COVID-19 has a relatively benign course in the setting of PAH and surprisingly favourable clinical outcomes.^10-12

So far, we have not seen many PAH patients with COVID-19 infections, and most of them have had favourable outcomes. This reflects the ability of these patients to isolate and quarantine themselves properly. Also, we are approaching having a successful treatment option or a vaccination for COVID-19 shortly.

Conclusion

To our best knowledge, it is the first report of pulmonary hypertension in post-COVID 19 infections. We reported a smooth clinical course for COVID-19 infection in a male with Bilateral Pleural Effusion with Mild ascites and Grade III Renal parenchymal disease (RPD).  In the current report, PH was associated with clinical, imaging and laboratory findings of more severe post-COVID-19 and with no morbid outcomes. One of the worthiest questions to ask nowadays is whether those patients should be considered high risk for COVID 19 infection and its complications during this pandemic or not. A final decision is yet to be made. We believe it is important to screen for COVID-19 infection in all patients.

Acknowledgement: None

Conflict of Interest and Source of Funding: None

Author Contribution:

Nimkar SV: Manuscript Preparation, Data Collection

Dubey A: Manuscript editing

Talwar D: Pliagrism Removal

Kumar S: Final editing and preparation according to journal guidelines

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