COVID-19 is associated with cardiac structural and functional remodelling in healthy middle-aged and older
Mushidur Rahman1,2, Sophie L Russell1,2, Nduka C Okwose1,2
1Research Centre for Health and Life Sciences, Institute for Health and Wellbeing, Coventry University, Coventry, UK.
Insights
History of COVID-19 in middle-aged and older adults is linked to cardiac structural changes, including increased left ventricular mass and reduced global longitudinal strain, despite normal ejection fraction. This indicates potential cardiac remodeling post-infection.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Cardiovascular Imaging
Background:
- Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) became a global pandemic in 2019.
- The cardiac impact of COVID-19 in healthy individuals remains unclear.
- This study focuses on middle-aged and older adults.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effect of COVID-19 on cardiac structure and function.
- To assess cardiac changes in middle-aged and older individuals post-COVID-19.
Main Methods:
- A prospective observational study included 124 participants (84 COVID-19 positive, 40 controls).
- Echocardiography with speckle tracking was used to assess cardiac structure and function.
- Measurements were taken at rest and during peak exercise.
Main Results:
- COVID-19 survivors showed increased left ventricular mass and relative wall thickness.
- Reduced left ventricular global longitudinal strain was observed at rest and peak exercise.
- Right ventricular fractional area change was also reduced in the COVID-19 group.
Conclusions:
- Cardiac structural and functional remodeling occurs in healthy middle-aged and older individuals after COVID-19.
- Findings suggest a need for monitoring cardiac health in post-COVID-19 patients.
Background:
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was declared a global pandemic in 2019. It remains uncertain to what extent COVID-19 effects the heart in heathy individuals. To evaluate the effect of the COVID-19 on cardiac structure and function in middle-aged and older individuals.
Methods:
A single-centre prospective observational study enroled a total of 124 participants (84 with history of COVID-19 [COVID-19 group] and 40 without a history of COVID-19 [non-COVID group]). All participants underwent echocardiography with speckle tracking to assess cardiac structure and function at rest and during peak exercise.
Results:
There were no differences in left and right ventricular diastolic function (p ≥ 0.05) between the COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 groups. Participants in COVID-19 group demonstrated higher left ventricular mass (130 ± 39.8 vs. 113 ± 27.2 g, p = 0.008) and relative wall thickness (0.38 ± 0.07 vs. 0.36 ± 0.13, p = 0.049). Left ventricular global longitudinal strain was reduced in the COVID-19 group at rest and at peak-exercise (rest: 18.3 ± 2.01 vs. 19.3 ± 1.53%, p = 0.004; peak exercise: 19.1 ± 2.20 vs. 21.0 ± 1.58%, p ≤ 0.001). However, no difference was seen in resting left ventricular ejection fraction (58 ± 2.89 vs. 59 ± 2.51%, p = 0.565) between groups. Right ventricular fractional area change was reduced in the COVID-19 group (p = 0.012).
Conclusion:
Cardiac structural and functional remodelling was observed in middle-aged and older otherwise healthy individuals with a history of COVID-19.
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