Triglicerydes/high-density lipoprotein ratio as a risk factor of post-Covid-19 sinus tachycardia: A retrospective...

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Endocrinology
• Infectious Diseases

Background:

• Inappropriate sinus tachycardia (IST) is a recognized manifestation of post-COVID-19 syndrome (PCS).
• The underlying pathogenesis of IST in PCS remains largely undetermined.
• Identifying risk factors is crucial for managing PCS complications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate potential risk factors associated with the development of IST in patients experiencing PCS.
• To explore the role of metabolic parameters, particularly insulin resistance, in IST development post-COVID-19.

Main Methods:

• A cohort of 1349 patients with PCS underwent clinical evaluation, 24-hour Holter ECG, ambulatory blood pressure monitoring, and biochemical tests.
• Patients were assessed 12-16 weeks after their initial COVID-19 infection.
• Multivariate analysis and ROC curve analysis were employed to identify predictive factors.

Main Results:

• IST was identified in 3.5% of the PCS cohort.
• IST patients exhibited higher age, lower diagnosed hypertension rates, elevated serum triglycerides, and a higher prevalence of low HDL cholesterol.
• The triglycerides/HDL ratio, a marker of insulin resistance, was significantly higher in IST patients (3.2 vs. 2.4).
• A TG/HDL ratio >3 was a significant predictor of IST (OR 2.67).
• The predictive cut-off for TG/HDL ratio for IST risk was 2.46.

Conclusions:

• Insulin resistance, as indicated by the triglycerides/HDL ratio, appears to be a key risk factor for developing inappropriate sinus tachycardia in individuals with post-COVID-19 syndrome.
• These findings suggest that metabolic dysregulation, specifically insulin resistance, plays a role in the pathophysiology of IST following COVID-19.
• The TG/HDL ratio can serve as a valuable predictive marker for IST in the PCS population.