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The effect of prior COVID-19 infection on coronary microvascular dysfunction
Önder Bilge1, Murat Çap1, Ferat Kepenek2
1Department of Cardiology, University of Health Sciences Diyarbakır Gazi Yaşargil Education and Research Hospital, Diyarbakır, Turkey.
Insights
COVID-19 infection may lead to coronary microvascular dysfunction, indicated by elevated Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction Frame Count (TFC). This study found higher TFC in patients with a history of COVID-19, suggesting a link between the virus and impaired coronary function.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Vascular Biology
Background:
- Coronary microvascular dysfunction (CMD) is a significant cause of chest pain and dyspnea.
- Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction Frame Count (TFC) quantifies CMD.
- The impact of COVID-19 on coronary microvasculature requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effect of COVID-19 infection on TFC.
- To assess for coronary microvascular dysfunction in post-COVID-19 patients with chest pain and dyspnea.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 210 patients undergoing coronary angiography.
- Patients were categorized into groups with and without a history of COVID-19.
- TFC was measured in the Left Anterior Descending (LAD), Left Circumflex (LCx), and Right Coronary Artery (RCA).
Main Results:
- Patients with a history of COVID-19 showed significantly higher TFC in LAD and LCx arteries.
- TFC in the RCA was similar between groups.
- Male gender and a history of COVID-19 were independently associated with elevated TFC.
Conclusions:
- A history of COVID-19 is associated with elevated TFC.
- COVID-19 infection may contribute to coronary microvascular dysfunction.
- Further research is warranted to understand the long-term cardiovascular implications of COVID-19.
Background:
Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction Frame Count (TFC) is an index that provides a quantitative evaluation of coronary microvascular dysfunction. In this study, we aimed to examine the effect of COVID-19 infection on TFC in patients admitted with chest pain and dyspnoea after COVID-19 disease and had abnormal findings in myocardial perfusion scintigraphy.
Methods:
For this single-center retrospective study, patients with and without a history of COVID-19 who were underwent coronary angiography for abnormal findings in myocardial perfusion scintigraphy between January 1, 2021 and June 30, 2021 were analysed. Patients were divided into two groups as patients with COVİD-19 history and those without. After exclusion criteria, patients with adequate angiographic monitoring and data were included in the study.
Results:
A total of 210 patients, 48 with a history of COVID-19, were included in the study. The mean age was ±55 10 years, and 122 (58%) patients were women. In patients with a history of COVID-19, TFC was significantly higher in the LAD (p < 0.001) and LCx (p < 0.001) arteries and RCA TFC (p = 0.223) was similar in both groups. In the linear mix model, male gender (β = 2.38, 95% CI = 1.26-3.51, p < 0.001) and history of COVID-19 (β = 1.51, 95% CI = 0.49-2.53, p = 0.004) were significantly associated with TFC.
Conclusion:
TFC may be elevated due to coronary microvascular dysfunction in patients with a history of COVID-19.
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