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COVID-19 in congenital heart disease patients: what did we learn?!
Rana Zareef1,2, Elio Salameh2, Rawan Hammoud2
1Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine Department, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon.
Insights
Congenital heart disease patients generally experience mild COVID-19 illness. This study found no increased risk of severe COVID-19 or complications in individuals with congenital heart disease.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Pediatrics
Background:
- The COVID-19 pandemic has rapidly spread globally.
- Cardiovascular comorbidities are linked to severe COVID-19 outcomes.
- Limited research exists on COVID-19 severity in patients with congenital heart disease, especially outside of hospitalized populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the clinical course, severity, and complications of COVID-19 in patients with congenital heart disease.
- To address the scarcity of data on this specific patient group.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional survey was conducted.
- Participants included patients with congenital heart disease registered at the Children Heart Center, American University of Beirut Medical Center.
- Data was collected through in-person visits or remote phone calls.
Main Results:
- 238 patients participated; 47.9% had suspected or confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection.
- The majority experienced mild illness, with common symptoms including rhinorrhea and cough.
- Hospitalization was required in 3.5%, intensive care in 1.5%, and one fatality occurred.
Conclusions:
- COVID-19 in patients with congenital heart disease typically follows a mild to moderate course.
- Congenital heart disease does not appear to significantly increase the risk of severe COVID-19 or complications.
- No correlation was identified between specific congenital heart lesions and COVID-19 disease severity.
Aim:
COVID-19 pandemic has spread widely at unpreceded pace. Cardiovascular comorbidities are significantly correlated with severe and critical illness. Nevertheless, studies examining the impact of congenital heart disease on COVID-19 severity are scarce and restricted to hospitalized patients. This study aims to explore the course of COVID-19 illness, severity and complications in patients with concomitant congenital heart disease.
Methodology:
This study is a cross sectional survey that includes patients with congenital heart disease who are registered at the Children Heart Center at the American University of Beirut Medical Center. The survey was conducted in the pediatric cardiology outpatient clinics or remotely via phone calls.
Results:
A total of 238 patients participated in the study, of which 47.9% had suspected or confirmed diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection. The majority of patients had mild illness. The symptoms ranged between rhinorrhea (15.6%), cough (15.6%), low-grade fever (11.2%), anosmia (2.7%), ageusia (2.5%), headache (9.8%), high-grade fever (8.5%), gastrointestinal symptoms (7.6%), lethargy (6.3%), muscle aches (5.6%), difficulty breathing (5.4%), joint pain (4.7%), and chills (4.7%). 20% of the surveyed patients required treatment at home. Hospitalization and oxygen therapy was required in 3.5% of cases, while only 1.5% demanded intensive care admission. Only one fatality was encountered.
Conclusion:
COVID-19 infection in pateints with congenital heart disease exhibits a mild to moderate course, and doesn't necessarily increase risk of complicated disease. No correlation could be found between specific congenital heart lesion and disease severity.
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