COVID-19 as Potential Cause of Aortic Valvulitis

About 25% of patients diagnosed with coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) experience cardiovascular complications, contributing to 40% of related deaths. Here we discuss a 69-year-old male with a history of congestive heart failure and preserved ejection fraction at New York Heart Association (NYHA) class II who presented with new dyspnea, cough, and paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea. He was subsequently diagnosed with COVID-19 pneumonia, and while he initially recovered, he later showed worsening symptoms with progression to NYHA class IV. Follow-up echocardiogram revealed a decline in ejection fraction to 40% and severe aortic insufficiency. He underwent surgical aortic valve replacement, resolving his symptoms. This case highlights COVID-19’s potential to cause rapid progression of valvular disease.