Medicine (Baltimore). 2025 Dec 26;104(52):e46907. doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000046907.
ABSTRACT
RATIONALE: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) can cause electrocardiographic changes, such as ST-segment elevation, by increasing the dispersion of cardiac repolarization or cause delayed depolarization in a localized area of the right ventricular outflow, leading to clinical misdiagnosis.
PATIENT CONCERNS: A 57-year-old man with a history of hypertension and previous myocardial infarction presented to the emergency department with a 12-hour history of fever, chest tightness, and palpitations.
DIAGNOSES: An emergency electrocardiogram (ECG) showed sinus rhythm with abnormal Q waves and ST-segment elevation (0.1-0.35 mV) in leads V1-V3. A positive COVID-19 polymerase chain reaction test and specific ECG metrics, including β-angle measurement and r'-wave triangle base duration, led to the diagnosis of a Brugada phenocopy pattern triggered by COVID-19.
INTERVENTIONS: The patient was treated with an antiplatelet agent (clopidogrel), an antipyretic (acetaminophen) for fever, and oral antivirals (nimatrelvir/ritonavir).
OUTCOMES: After 2 days, his temperature normalized, and a repeat ECG showed resolution of ST-segment elevation.
LESSONS: This case highlights the importance of considering fever-induced Brugada phenocopy in the differential diagnosis of ST-segment elevation in patients with coronary artery disease. Careful ECG analysis, including assessment of the β-angle and r'-wave morphology, is crucial to avoid misdiagnosis of ST-elevation myocardial infarction. Initial management should focus on controlling triggering factors such as fever with antipyretics and antivirals to prevent malignant arrhythmias.
PMID:41465954 | PMC:PMC12746936 | DOI:10.1097/MD.0000000000046907