Common Pathological Findings in the Heart in COVID-19-related Sudden Death Cases: An Autopsy Case Series

Overview

Journal Heliyon

Specialty Social Sciences

Date 2023 Oct 16

PMID 37842587

Authors

Daisuke Kyuno

Masatoshi Tateno

Yusuke Ono

Kazufumi Magara

Kumi Takasawa

Akira Takasawa

Makoto Osanai

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Background: Cardiomyopathy is a leading cause of sudden out-of-hospital death after severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination. Such unexpected COVID-19-related cardiomyopathies are challenging to diagnose as specific pathological findings are not always identified.

Case Summary: We reported the autopsy findings of two cases of sudden death due to COVID-19-related cardiomyopathies. In one case, death occurred after SARS-CoV-2 infection, while in the other, after COVID-19 vaccination. We found common pathological findings in both hearts: decreased staining intensity with special stains, loss of rhabdomeres, and multivacuolation in cardiomyocytes without inflammatory cell infiltration. The remaining organs showed no findings that could have contributed to the deaths.

Conclusion: In cases of sudden death after SARS-CoV-2 infection or COVID-19 vaccination, the decreased staining intensity with special stains may aid the diagnosis of sudden death due to COVID-19-related cardiomyopathy, even when H&E staining shows few findings.

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