Cardiovascular sequelae in post-COVID-19 patients with moderate to severe CT severity score: A follow-up study

Abstract

Objective: To study cardiovascular sequelae of post-COVID-19 patients with moderate to severe computed tomography (CT) severity score. Methods: A prospective, non-randomized, observational study was conducted on 100 post-COVID-19 patients with moderate to severe CT severity scores from January 2021 to December 2021. Fifty- nine were male [mean age (54.1±12.2) years] and 41 were female [mean age (46.9±15.1) years]. Patients with previous cardiovascular disease, previous chronic lung disease, and pre-existing primary or secondary pulmonary hypertension were excluded. Patients were examined, and serial electrocardiogram and 2D echocardiography were performed to detect any cardiovascular abnormality. Results: Post-COVID-19 patients had persistent symptoms, the most common being fatigue (59%). Most of these symptoms were relieved on follow-up. A rise in systolic, diastolic blood pressure, and pulse rate was observed. The electrocardiographic evaluation revealed ST-T segment changes, sinus tachycardia, ventricular hypertrophy, and arrhythmias among a considerable number of patients. On echocardiography, left ventricular diastolic dysfunction was most common (43%). Pulmonary hypertension, as evidenced by elevated pulmonary artery systolic pressure, was seen in 15% of patients. Conclusions: The present findings reveal an increased incidence of cardiovascular complications after recovery from COVID-19 infection in those without pre-existing cardiovascular or chronic lung disease.

Keywords

• cardiovascular outcomes; arrhythmia; heart failure; post acute-sequale; long covid-19