Repeated Syncope Following COVID-19 Infection

Abstract

A 74-year-old woman presented to our hospital with syncope after a coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection. Upon admission, she passed out, and an 8-second sinus arrest was detected during telemetry monitoring. During the next syncope episode, telemetry monitoring showed that her heart rate decreased from 80 to 36 bpm, accompanied by a 2.4-second pause. A permanent pacemaker was implanted; however, the patient still experienced syncope. The head-up tilt test revealed a vasodepressor reflex syncope. The need for permanent pacemakers in patients with syncope following COVID-19 therefore remains controversial.