Electrocardiograhic characteristics in patients with coronavirus infection: A single-center observational study
1Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Wuhan Asia Heart Hospital Affiliated to Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Hubei, China.
Insights
Electrocardiogram (ECG) abnormalities like ST-T changes are common in COVID-19 patients. These ECG findings and a history of cardiovascular disease increase the risk of intensive care unit (ICU) admission.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Critical Care Medicine
Background:
- The global outbreak of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has necessitated understanding its full clinical spectrum.
- Electrocardiographic (ECG) manifestations in COVID-19 patients require further detailed description.
- Identifying predictors for severe COVID-19 outcomes, such as intensive care unit (ICU) admission, is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the specific ECG characteristics observed in patients diagnosed with COVID-19.
- To identify potential risk factors associated with ICU admission among COVID-19 patients.
- To correlate ECG findings and comorbidities with disease severity.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective observational study was conducted on 135 COVID-19 patients.
- Demographic, clinical, and ECG data were collected and analyzed.
- Logistic regression analysis was employed to determine risk factors for ICU admission.
Main Results:
- ST-T abnormalities (40%) and arrhythmias (38%) were the most frequent ECG findings.
- Cardiovascular disease (CVD) was present in 48% of patients.
- ICU admission was associated with higher heart rate, prolonged P-wave duration, CVD, ST-T abnormalities, arrhythmias, QTc prolongation, and pathological Q waves.
Conclusions:
- COVID-19 frequently presents with cardiovascular manifestations, including ECG abnormalities and pre-existing comorbidities.
- ST-T abnormalities and a history of CVD at admission are significant predictors of increased risk for ICU hospitalization.
- ECG monitoring and assessment of cardiovascular health are important in managing COVID-19 patients.
Background:
A global outbreak of coronavirus disease (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has emerged since December 2019, in Wuhan, China. However, electrocardiograhic (ECG) manifestations of patients with COVID-19 have not been fully described. We aim to investigate ECG characteristics in COVID-19 patients and risk factors of intensive care unit (ICU) admission.
Methods:
This retrospective observational study included the patients with COVID-19 at the Wuhan Asia General hospital between February 10, and 26, 2020. Demographic, clinical, and ECG characteristics were collected, and comparisons were made between the ICU and non-ICU admission groups. Logistic regression was used to identify risk factors of ICU admission.
Results:
Among 135 included patients (median age: 64 years [interquartile range: 48-72]), ST-T abnormalities (40%) were the most common ECG feature, followed by arrhythmias (38%). Cardiovascular disease (CVD) was presented in 48% of the patients. Six (4.4%) died during hospitalization, and 23 (17.0%) were admitted to the ICU. Compared with non-ICU group, the ICU group showed higher heart rate (p = .019) and P-wave duration (p = .039) and was more frequently associated with CVD (p < .001), ST-T abnormalities (p = .007), arrhythmias (p = .003), QTc interval prolongation (p = .003), and pathological Q waves (p < .001). Twenty-seven patients were re-examined ECG during admission, and 17 of them presented new findings compared with their initial ECG presentations. ST-T abnormalities (p = .040) and history of CVD (p = .0047) were associated with increased risk of ICU hospitalization.
Conclusions:
COVID-19 is frequently related to cardiovascular manifestations including ECG abnormalities and cardiovascular comorbidities. ST-T abnormalities and CVD at admission were associated with increased odds of ICU admission.
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