Could Steroids Cause Dysrhythmia in COVID-19 Patients? A Case Report
Shadi Ziaie
Department of Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Mehrdad Jafari Fesharaki
Department of Cardiology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Farnoosh Masbough *
Department of Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Aim: Steroid-induced dysrhythmia is a rare but severe side effect.
Presentation of Case: After 24-48 hours of corticosteroid administration, bradyarrhythmia was detected in our three COVID-19 patients (a 38 and 67-year-old female and a 57-year-old male) who had no prior medical history of cardiac disease. Bradyarrhythmia improved following discontinuation of corticosteroids.
Discussion: Cardiac dysrhythmia is a rare side effect for steroids especially in Iranian patients. Our patients had no prior history of cardiac disease, and sinus bradycardia was observed while receiving intravenous methylprednisolone or dexamethasone
Conclusion: This side effect can occur with any corticosteroid, and all patients receiving high doses of corticosteroids, even for a brief period, should be closely monitored.
Keywords: COVID-19, bradycardia