Asystole in a COVID-19 patient without systemic illness: a case report

Abstract

There is growing evidence that patients with severe systemic illness from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) are at risk for developing a variety of cardiac arrhythmias. Less is known about patients with milder symptoms. Here, we report on the case of a 62-year-old male, admitted to the hospital following an episode of syncope, who experienced multiple episodes of cardiac arrest due to asystole lasting up to 30 seconds. History revealed a recent asymptomatic COVID-19 infection, and recurrent episodes of prolonged asystole necessitated permanent pacemaker placement. To our knowledge, this is the first report of an asymptomatic COVID-19 patient experiencing prolonged asystole. Cardiac arrhythmias in asymptomatic or oligosymptomatic COVID-19 patients may be underestimated.