Project description:In patients hospitalized for corona virus infectious disease 19 (COVID-19) it is currently unknown whether myocardial function changes after recovery and whether this is related to elevated cardiac biomarkers. In this single center, prospective cohort study we consecutively enrolled hospitalized COVID-19 patients between 1 April and 12 May 2020. All patients underwent transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) evaluation during hospitalization and at a median of 131 days (IQR; 116-136) follow-up. Of the 51 patients included at baseline, 40 (age: 62 years (IQR; 54-68), 78% male) were available for follow-up TTE. At baseline, 68% of the patients had a normal TTE, regarding left ventricular (LV) and right ventricular (RV) volumes and function, compared to 83% at follow-up (p = 0.07). Median LV ejection fraction (60% vs. 58%, p = 0.54) and tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (23 vs 22 mm, p = 0.18) were comparable between hospitalization and follow-up, but a significantly lower RV diameter (39 vs. 34 mm, p = 0.002) and trend towards better global longitudinal strain (GLS) (- 18.5% vs - 19.1%, p = 0.07) was found at follow-up. Subgroup analysis showed no relation between patients with and without elevated TroponinT and/or NT-proBNP during hospitalization and myocardial function at follow-up. Although there were no significant differences in individual myocardial function parameters at 4 months follow-up compared to hospitalisation for COVID-19, there was an overall trend towards normalization in myocardial function, predominantly due to a higher rate of normal GLS at follow-up.
Project description:Background The extent of cardiac dysfunction post-COVID-19 varies, and there is a lack of data on arrhythmic burden. Methods and Results This was a combined multicenter prospective cohort study and cross-sectional case-control study. Cardiac function assessed by echocardiography in patients with COVID-19 3 to 4 months after hospital discharge was compared with matched controls. The 24-hour ECGs were recorded in patients with COVID-19. A total of 204 patients with COVID-19 consented to participate (mean age, 58.5 years; 44% women), and 204 controls were included (mean age, 58.4 years; 44% women). Patients with COVID-19 had worse right ventricle free wall longitudinal strain (adjusted estimated mean difference, 1.5 percentage points; 95% CI, -2.6 to -0.5; P=0.005) and lower tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (-0.10 cm; 95% CI, -0.14 to -0.05; P<0.001) and cardiac index (-0.26 L/min per m2; 95% CI, -0.40 to -0.12; P<0.001), but slightly better left ventricle global strain (-0.8 percentage points; 95% CI, 0.2-1.3; P=0.008) compared with controls. Reduced diastolic function was twice as common compared with controls (60 [30%] versus 29 [15%], respectively; odds ratio, 2.4; P=0.001). Having dyspnea or fatigue were not associated with cardiac function. Right ventricle free wall longitudinal strain was worse after intensive care treatment. Arrhythmias were found in 27% of the patients, mainly premature ventricular contractions and nonsustained ventricular tachycardia (18% and 5%, respectively). Conclusions At 3 months after hospital discharge with COVID-19, right ventricular function was mildly impaired, and diastolic dysfunction was twice as common compared with controls. There was little evidence for an association between cardiac function and intensive care treatment, dyspnea, or fatigue. Ventricular arrhythmias were common, but the clinical importance is unknown. Registration URL: http://clinicaltrials.gov. Unique Identifier: NCT04535154.
Project description:Background COVID-19 has caused a global pandemic unprecedented in a century. Though primarily a respiratory illness, cardiovascular risk factors predict adverse outcomes. We aimed to investigate the role of baseline echocardiographic abnormalities in further refining risk in addition to clinical risk factors. Methods Adults with COVID-19 positive RT-PCR test across St Luke’s University Health Network between March 1st 2020-October 31st 2020 were identified. Those with trans-thoracic echocardiography (TTE) within 15–180 days preceding COVID-19 positivity were selected, excluding severe valvular disease, acute cardiac event between TTE and COVID-19, or asymptomatic patients positive on screening. Demographic, clinical, and echocardiographic variables were manually extracted from patients’ EHR and compared between groups stratified by disease severity. Logistic regression was used to identify independent predictors of hospitalization. Results 192 patients met inclusion criteria. 87 (45.3%) required hospitalization, 34 (17.7%) suffered severe disease (need for ICU care/mechanical ventilation/in-hospital death). Age, co-morbidities, and several echocardiographic abnormalities were more prevalent in those with moderate-severe disease than in mild disease, with notable exceptions of systolic/diastolic dysfunction. On multivariate analysis, age (OR 1.039, 95% CI 1.011–1.067), coronary artery disease (OR 4.184, 95% CI 1.451–12.063), COPD (OR 6.886, 95% CI 1.396–33.959) and left atrial diameter ≥ 4.0 cm (OR 2.379, 95% CI 1.031–5.493) predicted need for hospitalization. Model showed excellent discrimination (ROC AUC 0.809, 95% CI 0.746–0.873). Conclusions Baseline left atrial enlargement is an independent risk factor for risk of hospitalization among patients with COVID-19. When available, baseline LA enlargement may identify patients for (1) closer outpatient follow up, and (2) counseling vaccine-hesitancy. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10554-022-02565-4.
Project description:BackgroundCoronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) may cause myocardial injury and myocarditis, and reports of persistent cardiac pathology after COVID-19 have raised concerns of long-term cardiac consequences. We aimed to assess the presence of abnormal cardiovascular resonance imaging (CMR) findings in patients recovered from moderate-to-severe COVID-19, and its association with markers of disease severity in the acute phase.MethodsFifty-eight (49%) survivors from the prospective COVID MECH study, underwent CMR median 175 [IQR 105-217] days after COVID-19 hospitalization. Abnormal CMR was defined as left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) <50% or myocardial scar by late gadolinium enhancement. CMR indices were compared to healthy controls (n = 32), and to circulating biomarkers measured during the index hospitalization.ResultsAbnormal CMR was present in 12 (21%) patients, of whom 3 were classified with major pathology (scar and LVEF <50% or LVEF <40%). There was no difference in the need of mechanical ventilation, length of hospital stay, and vital signs between patients with vs without abnormal CMR after 6 months. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 viremia and concentrations of inflammatory biomarkers during the index hospitalization were not associated with persistent CMR pathology. Cardiac troponin T and N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide concentrations on admission, were higher in patients with CMR pathology, but these associations were not significant after adjusting for demographics and established cardiovascular disease.ConclusionsCMR pathology 6 months after moderate-to-severe COVID-19 was present in 21% of patients and did not correlate with severity of the disease. Cardiovascular biomarkers during COVID-19 were higher in patients with CMR pathology, but with no significant association after adjusting for confounders.Trial registrationCOVID MECH Study ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04314232.
Project description:The pandemic caused by the new SARS-CoV-2, named coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) disease, has challenged the health-care systems and raised new diagnostic pathways and safety issues for cardiac imagers. Myocardial injury may complicate COVID-19 infection in more than a quarter of patients and due to the wide a range of possible insults, cardiac imaging plays a crucial diagnostic and prognostic role. There is still little evidence regarding the best-imaging pathway and the echocardiographic findings. Most of the data derive from the single centers experiences and case-reports; therefore, our review reflects the recommendations mainly based on expert opinion. Moreover, knowledge is constantly evolving. The health-care system and physicians are called to reorganize the diagnostic pathways to minimize the possibility of spreading the infection. Thus a rapid, bedside, ultrasound assessment of the heart, chest, and leg veins by point-of-care ultrasound seems to be the first-line tool of the fight against the SARS-CoV-2. A second Level of cardiac imaging is appropriate when the result may guide decision-making or may be life-saving. Dedicated scanners should be used and special pathways should be reserved for these patients. The current knowledge on cardiac imaging COVID-19 patients is reviewed.
Project description:BackgroundDespite recommendations regarding the use of intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography (TEE), there is no randomized evidence to support its use in cardiac valve surgery. The purpose of this study was to compare the clinical outcomes of patients undergoing open cardiac valve repair or replacement surgery with and without transesophageal echocardiographic monitoring. The hypothesis was that transesophageal echocardiographic monitoring would be associated with lower 30-day mortality and shorter length of hospitalization.MethodsIn this observational retrospective cohort study, Medicare claims were used to test the association between perioperative TEE and 30-day all-cause mortality and length of hospitalization among patients undergoing open cardiac valve repair or replacement surgery between January 1, 2010, and October 1, 2015. Baseline characteristics were defined by inpatient and outpatient claims. Medicare death records were used to ascertain 30-day mortality. Statistical analyses included regression models and propensity score matching.ResultsA total of 219,238 patients underwent open cardiac valve surgery, of whom 85% underwent TEE. Patients who underwent TEE were significantly older and had greater comorbidities. After adjusting for patient demographics, clinical comorbidities, surgical characteristics, and hospital factors, including annual surgical volume, the TEE group had a lower adjusted odds of 30-day mortality (odds ratio, 0.77; 95% CI, 0.73 to 0.82; P < .001), with no difference in length of hospitalization (<0.01%; 95% CI, -0.61% to 0.62%; P = .99). Results were similar across all analyses, including a propensity score-matched cohort.ConclusionsTransesophageal echocardiographic monitoring in cardiac valve repair or replacement surgery was associated with lower 30-day risk-adjusted mortality, without a significant increase in length of hospitalization. These findings support the use of TEE as routine practice in open cardiac valve repair or replacement surgery.
Project description:The pandemic of 2019 novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2019), reminiscent of the 2002-SARS-CoV outbreak, has completely isolated countries, disrupted health systems and partially paralyzed international trade and travel. In order to be better equipped to anticipate transmission of this virus to new regions, it is imperative to track the progress of the virus over time. This review analyses information on progression of the pandemic in the past 3 months and systematically discusses the characteristics of SARS-CoV-2019 virus including its epidemiologic, pathophysiologic, and clinical manifestations. Furthermore, the review also encompasses some recently proposed conceptual models that estimate the spread of this disease based on the basic reproductive number for better prevention and control procedures. Finally, we shed light on how the virus has endangered the global economy, impacting it both from the supply and demand side.
Project description:BackgroundThe long-term pulmonary function and related physiological characteristics of COVID-19 survivors have not been studied in depth, thus many aspects are not understood.MethodsCOVID-19 survivors were recruited for high resolution computed tomography (HRCT) of the thorax, lung function and serum levels of SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibody tests 3 months after discharge. The relationship between the clinical characteristics and the pulmonary function or CT scores were investigated.FindingsFifty-five recovered patients participated in this study. SARS-CoV-2 infection related symptoms were detected in 35 of them and different degrees of radiological abnormalities were detected in 39 patients. Urea nitrogen concentration at admission was associated with the presence of CT abnormalities (P = 0.046, OR 7.149, 95% CI 1.038 to 49.216). Lung function abnormalities were detected in 14 patients and the measurement of D-dimer levels at admission may be useful for prediction of impaired diffusion defect (P = 0.031, OR 1.066, 95% CI 1.006 to 1.129). Of all the subjects, 47 of 55 patients tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 IgG in serum, among which the generation of Immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibody in female patients was stronger than male patients in infection rehabilitation phase.InterpretationRadiological and physiological abnormalities were still found in a considerable proportion of COVID-19 survivors without critical cases 3 months after discharge. Higher level of D-dimer on admission could effectively predict impaired DLCO after 3 months discharge. It is necessary to follow up the COVID-19 patients to appropriately manage any persistent or emerging long-term sequelae.FundingKey Scientific Research Projects of Henan Higher Education Institutions.
Project description:BackgroundThe manifestations of COVID-19 as outlined by imaging modalities such as echocardiography, lung ultrasound (LUS), and cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging are not fully described.MethodsWe conducted a systematic review of the current literature and included studies that described cardiovascular manifestations of COVID-19 using echocardiography, CMR, and pulmonary manifestations using LUS. We queried PubMed, EMBASE, and Web of Science for relevant articles. Original studies and case series were included.ResultsThis review describes the most common abnormalities encountered on echocardiography, LUS, and CMR in patients infected with COVID-19.
Project description:PurposeTo evaluate if reduced muscle mass, assessed with Computed Tomography (CT), is a predictor of intensive care unit (ICU) hospitalization in COVID-19 patients.MethodsIn this Institution Review Board approved study, we retrospectively evaluated COVID-19 patients treated in our tertiary center from March to November 2020 who underwent an unenhanced chest CT scan within three weeks from hospitalization.We recorded the mean Hounsfield Unit (Hu) value of the right paravertebral muscle at the level of the 12th thoracic vertebra, the hospitalization unit (ICU and COVID-19 wards), clinical symptoms, Barthel Index, and laboratory findings.Logistic regression analysis was applied to assess if muscle loss (Hu<30) is a predictor of ICU admission and outcome.Fisher's exact and Student's tests were applied to evaluate if differences between patients with and without muscle loss occurred (p<0.05).ResultsOne-hundred-fifty patients matched the inclusion criteria (46 females; mean age±SD 61.3±15 years-old), 36 treated in ICU. Patients in ICU showed significantly lower Hu values (29±24 vs 39.4±12, p = 0.001). Muscle loss was a predictor of ICU admission (p = 0.004).Patients with muscle loss were significantly older (73.4±10 vs 56.4±14 years), had lower Barthel Index scores (54.4±33 vs 85.1±26), red blood-cell count (3.9±1 vs 4.6±1×1012L-1), and Hb levels (11.5±2 vs 13.2±2g/l) as well as higher white blood-cell count (9.4±7 vs 7.2±4×109L-1), C-reactive protein (71.5±71 vs 44±48U/L), and lactate dehydrogenase levels (335±163 vs 265.8±116U/L) (p<0.05, each).ConclusionsMuscle loss seems to be a predictor of ICU hospitalization in COVID-19 patients and radiologists reporting chest CT at admission should note this finding in their reports.