Recurrent syncope with hyponatremia as presentation of COVID-19 viral pneumonia

Abstract

Syncope is the most common neurological presentation in intensive care setting and has diverse etiological factors ranging from ischemic and nonischemic neurovascular, cardiac dysfunction related, infectious, electrolyte imbalance, inflammatory factors to simple viral fever, and other system-related illnesses. Coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) is known to cause pulmonary and extrapulmonary complications including effects on cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, renal, and neurovascular systems. In this case report, we have documented a 70-year-old male presented with recurrent syncope with flu-like illness, HRCT thorax suggestive of pneumonia involving bilateral lower lobe, COVID-19 real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) positive, with abnormal laboratory parameters such as platelet count, CRP, serum sodium, and vitamin B12 level. Further investigations such as echocardiography, MRI brain and MRI angiography, and carotid Doppler were inconclusive. We have observed excellent clinical and radiological response to steroids, anticoagulants, antiplatelets, and remdesivir with other supportive care in critical care unit.