Short-term Impact of COVID-19 Infection on Right Ventricular Functions: Single Center Observational Study

Overview

Journal Egypt Heart J

Publisher Springer

Specialty Cardiology & Vascular Diseases

Date 2022 Feb 2

PMID 35107643

Authors

Osama Rifaie

Ahmed Reda

Ahmed Hatata

Amr Gamal

Mostafa Abdelmonaem

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Background: COVID-19 pandemic is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Cardiovascular insult is a leading cause of in-hospital mortality in COVID-19 patients, especially right ventricular (RV) dysfunction and massive pulmonary embolism. This study aims to assess short-term impact of COVID 19 infection on (RV) functions among hospitalized patients with moderate or severe illness using bed side trans-thoracic echocardiogram. This study was conducted in 3 isolation hospitals in Cairo, spanning over 3 months during the expected pandemic peak in Egypt in 2020. The study recruited 100 consecutive patients with moderate or severe COVID-19 infection. Four patients refused to participate in the study. Patients with pre-existing structural heart diseases were excluded. All patients underwent full history taking and clinical examination. Bed side echocardiography was done emphasizing on (RV), and (RA) dimensions, (LV) functions and pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PSAS). Cardiac biomarkers were withdrawn and CT angiography was ordered when clinically warranted.

Results: The mean age of the studied cohort was 59.5 ± 8.6 years with males comprising 71.9% of the studied group. (RV) and (RA) dilatation was noted in 8 cases (8.3%). (LV) dysfunction was noted in 11 cases (11.4%). (PASP) showed a statistically significant negative correlation with (LV) function. However, (PSAP) was positively correlated to (RA) and (RV) dimensions, tricuspid regurgitation (TR) jet severity, previous COVID infection and elevated cardiac biomarkers. Mortality was noted in 3 cases (3.1%), all had LV dysfunction with elevated troponin level. Six patients (6.2%) had combined (LV) and (RV) dysfunction.

Conclusions: COVID-19 illness had a negative impact on (RV) and (LV) functions, that could be assessed accurately by trans-thoracic 2 D echocardiogram. The degree of ventricular dysfunction correlated with the rise in cardiac biomarkers as well as the degree of (PASP).

Citing Articles

Role of cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging in COVID-19 recovered patients: A short-term follow-up study.

Kunal S, Bagarhatta P, Palleda G, Bansal A, Batra V, Daga M Echocardiography. 2022; 39(11):1401-1411.

PMID: 36266740 PMC: 9874707. DOI: 10.1111/echo.15466.

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