Clinical, Biochemical and Echocardiographic Characteristics of Severe
SARS-COV-2 Infection-Correlates of In-hospital Morbidity and Mortality
Abstract
Background: Patients with cardiovascular disease are more susceptible to
coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and have worse outcomes when
infected. This study reports the largest and most comprehensive
echocardiographic evaluation of patients with severe COVID-19 at a
quaternary care hospital in the second most affected state in the US,
New Jersey. Methods: Clinical, biochemical and echocardiographic
features of consecutive patients with severe COVID-19 undergoing
echocardiography were studied. Clinical outcome data including length of
stay, requirement of mechanical ventilation and in-hospital mortality
were collected. Results: 987 patients with confirmed COVID-19 infection
were treated at our institution of which 146 consecutive patients (15%)
underwent echocardiographic evaluation. Median age was 63 years ;37%
were females, 21% had known CAD and 20% had CKD. 57% of patients
required mechanical ventilation and 50% required vasopressors . 31% of
patients died during the index hospitalization. There was a high
prevalence of echocardiographic abnormalities including right
ventricular dilation (33%) or dysfunction (21%), left ventricular
dysfunction (20%), and pericardial effusion (13%). Multiple biomarkers
including troponin T, pro BNP, dimer and CRP were strongly associated
with echocardiographic abnormalities and in-hospital mortality. On Cox
regression analysis, age (HR 1.04/year) and CAD (HR 2.4) were
independent predictors of mortality. Conclusions: Severe COVID-19
infection is accompanied by a significant burden of echocardiographic
abnormalities that are strongly correlated with higher degrees of
inflammation and biomarker elevation. Additional investigation is
warranted in assessing the role of a biomarker-guided approach for early
cardiac surveillance using echocardiography in further risk stratifying
patients and tailoring adjunctive therapy.