Detection of SARS-CoV-2 Antigens in the AV-Node of a Cardiac Conduction System—A Case Report

Abstract

Mounting evidence indicates that new arrhythmic events frequently occur during and after coronavirus disease (COVID-19), posing additional mortality risk in older-aged and critically ill patients. However, the underlying mechanisms and cardio pathological substrates of COVID-related arrhythmias have not been clarified yet. Here, we report findings of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) antigens and genes in the atrioventricular node (AV-node) of a cardiac conduction system, pointing to its direct infection as a possible arrhythmogenic factor.

Keywords

• COVID-19
• SARS-CoV-2
• spike protein
• nucleocapsid protein
• AV-node
• cardiac conduction system