CHA₂DS₂-VASc Score as Predictor of New-Onset Atrial Fibrillation and Mortality in Critical COVID-19 Patients

Pre-existing and new-onset atrial fibrillation (NOAF) is a common arrhythmia in COVID-19 patients and is related to increased mortality. CHA₂DS₂-VASc score was initially developed to evaluate thromboembolic risk in patients with AF. Moreover, it predicted adverse outcomes in other clinical conditions, including SARS-CoV-2 infection. We aimed to evaluate the association of CHA₂DS₂-VASc with NOAF, ICU length of stay (LOS) and mortality in critically ill COVID-19 patients. We also examined the relationship of NOAF with mortality. We reviewed the literature to describe the link between cardiovascular risk factors and inflammatory response of severe COVID-19.

We retrospectively studied 163 COVID-19 patients admitted to a level 3 general ICU from March 2020 to April 2022. Patients were of advanced age (median 64 years, IQR 56.5-71) and the majority of them were male (67.5%). Regarding NOAF, we excluded 12 patients with AF history. In this group, CHA₂DS₂VASc score was significantly elevated (3 IQR (1-4) versus 1 IQR (1-2.75), p = 0.003). Specifically, three components of CHA₂DS₂VASc were notably increased: age (p < 0.001), arterial hypertension (p = 0.042) and stroke (p = 0.047). ICU mortality was raised in the NOAF group [75.8% versus 34.8%, p < 0.001 OR 5.87, 95% CI (2.43, 14.17)]. This was significant even after adjusting for ICU clinical scores (APACHE II and SOFA). About mortality in the entire sample, survivors were younger (p = 0.001). Non-survivors had greater APACHE II (p = 0.04) and SOFA (p = 0.033) scores. CHA₂DS₂VASc score was positively associated with mortality [p = 0.031, OR 1.28, 95% CI (1.03, 1.6)]. ICU length of stay was associated with mortality (p = 0.016) but not with CHA₂DS₂VASc score (p = 0.842).

NOAF and CHA₂DS₂VASc score were associated with higher mortality in COVID-19 ICU patients. CHA₂DS₂VASc score was also associated with NOAF but not with ICU LOS.