ST Elevation in the COVID-19 Era: A Diagnostic Challenge

BACKGROUND: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 induces a marked prothrombotic state with varied clinical presentations, including acute coronary artery occlusions leading to ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). However, while STEMI on electrocardiogram (ECG) is not always associated with acute coronary occlusion, this diagnostic uncertainty should not delay cardiac catheterization. CASE REPORTS: We present 2 cases of patients with COVID-19 that presented with STEMI on ECG. While both patients underwent cardiac catheterization, a delay in time to intervention in the patient found to have acute coronary artery occlusion may have contributed to a poor outcome. WHY SHOULD AN EMERGENCY PHYSICIAN BE AWARE OF THIS? These cases highlight the fact that while not all COVID-19 patients with STEMI on ECG will have acute coronary artery occlusions, there is continued need for prompt percutaneous coronary intervention during the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 pandemic.