Electrocardiographic parameters and mortality in patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection: A single center study
Samaneh Karbalaie Esmaeilzad1, Mohammad Taghi Hedayati2,3, Naghmeh Ziaie2,3
1School of Medicine, Babol University of Medical sciences, Babol, Iran.
Insights
Electrocardiogram (ECG) findings in patients with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection can predict mortality. Specific ECG parameters, including heart rate and arrhythmias, are associated with increased risk of death in hospitalized COVID-19 patients.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Medical Diagnostics
Background:
- Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by SARS-CoV-2, is a severe respiratory illness with potential for multi-organ failure and death.
- The cardiac electrical system is a critical target, and its assessment is vital for patient prognosis.
- Electrocardiography (ECG) serves as a primary, non-invasive tool for evaluating cardiac electrical activity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze electrocardiographic parameters in patients hospitalized with SARS-CoV-2 infection.
- To determine the association between specific ECG findings and patient mortality during hospitalization.
- To assess the utility of ECG in the risk stratification of COVID-19 patients.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 180 patients diagnosed with SARS-CoV-2 infection was studied at a tertiary referral university hospital.
- Electrocardiograms were recorded to assess waves, intervals, segments, and arrhythmias.
- ECG characteristics were compared between patients who survived and those who died during their hospital stay.
Main Results:
- Several ECG parameters showed a significant association with mortality in SARS-CoV-2 infected patients.
- These included elevated heart rate, bundle branch block, fragmented QRS, ST elevation, prolonged Tp-e duration, and premature atrial/ventricular complexes.
- Atrial fibrillation was also significantly linked to increased mortality risk.
Conclusions:
- SARS-CoV-2 infection significantly impacts the cardiac electrical system.
- ECG is a valuable and accessible tool for monitoring these cardiac effects.
- ECG findings can aid in the risk stratification and prognosis of patients with COVID-19.
Background:
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a pandemic outbreak of RNA coronaviruses (SARS-CoV-2), associated with acute respiratory distress syndrome, multiple organ failure, and death. The surface electrocardiogram is the first line assessment of cardiac electrical system. We aimed to interpret classically the electrocardiographic parameters at admission and during hospital course and association of them with prognosis in patients admitted with diagnosis of infection with SARS-CoV-2.
Methods:
Surface electrocardiograms (ECG) were obtained from 180 patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection at a large tertiary referral university hospital at north of Iran in Babol. The electrocardiographic waves, intervals and segments in addition to supraventricular and ventricular arrhythmias were depicted. Our cohort included two groups: discharged alive and dead during the hospital course. We compared the ECG characteristics of patients who died vs. survived ones.
Results:
Some ECG parameters of 180 hospitalized patients were significantly associated with mortality, like heart rate (p< 0.001), bundle branch block (P= 0.035), fragmented QRS (P= 0.015), ST elevation (P= 0.004), T p-e duration (P= 0.006), premature atrial and ventricular complexes (P= 0.030, P= 0.004) and atrial fibrillation (P= 0.003).
Conclusion:
The SARS-CoV-2 infection had several impacts on cardiac electrical system which may monitored with a simple and easily accessible tool like ECG. This tool also helpful in the risk stratification of patients.
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