Para-cardiac Inflammatory Mass Compressing the Heart: A possible association with COVID-19

Abstract

Infection with the SARS-CoV-2 virus causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). COVID-19 usually affects the lungs but may also involve other organs such as the heart. We report a case of a para-cardiac mass in a previously healthy 45-year-old man who developed persistent dyspnea following SARS-CoV-2 infection. The patient underwent cardiac surgery since the mass was attached to the pericardium and was causing constrictive pericarditis. The pathology report indicated an inflammatory pattern for the mass. Based on our knowledge there has been no previous report of developing a para-cardiac inflammatory mass after SARS-CoV-2 infection. In conclusion, we would like to increase awareness regarding the possibility of developing a para-cardiac inflammatory mass following COVID-19.

Keywords: SARS-CoV-2; Pericarditis; Constrictive pericarditis; COVID-19; Cardiac tumor; Mediastinal tumor.