Prognostic value of D-dimer in patients undergoing myocardial infarction in the context of a new coronavirus infection pandemic

Abstract

In conditions of new coronavirus pandemic and high prevalence of myocarditis, myopericarditis, the issues of differential diagnosis, especially in patients who had previously undergone myocardial infarction, appear to be relevant. Against the background of COVID-19 both recurrent acute coronary disease and myocarditis, or myopericarditis are possible, and the differential diagnosis is significantly complicated by the similarity of clinical picture (pain in the heart area (not always typical), increased titers of cardiac troponins). Particular difficulties in diagnosis arise in patients who have undergone myocardial infarction, are in a coma and have unstable hemodynamics, since the detection of zones of local hypo- or akinesis on EchoCG has no proper diagnostic value; changes on ECG can be ambiguous; and the absolute majority of hospitals that provide care to COVID-19 patients have no possibilities of making MRI with gadolinium. In such cases, additional diagnostic methods may be helpful in making a definitive diagnosis. In such cases, additional diagnostic methods may be helpful in making a definitive diagnosis. The most available and well-studied laboratory indicator is D-dimer, which is a marker of hypercoagulation syndrome, however, some scientists also considered it as a marker of necrosis in myocardial infarction. This review shows the advantages and disadvantages of D-dimer in the diagnosis of acute coronary syndrome; the possibility of its use in patients with coronavirus infection, who had previously undergone myocardial infarction; the prospects for further research on this issue are outlined. The combined use of D-dimer test with electrocardiography, echocardiography, and clinical manifestations in patients with coronavirus infection to diagnose recurrent myocardial infarction was substantiated.