ECHOCARDIOGRAPHIC FINDINGS IN PATIENTS ADMITTED WITH COVID-19 PNEUMONIA

Abstract

ECHOCARDIOGRAPHIC FINDINGS IN PATIENTS ADMITTED WITH COVID-19 PNEUMONIA Smyrnova G.S. Shupyk National Healthcare University of Ukraine, Kyiv, Ukraine Background: Early cases of COVID-19 suggest that this disease can cause an acute myocardial injury that includes acute myocardial infarction, myocarditis, and even stress cardiomyopathy. However, diagnosis of myocardial injury has mostly been based on raised biomarkers in the absence of cardiac imaging. Consequently, there is an urgent need to better understand the interactions between COVID-19 and the heart using inexpensive, portable, and widely accessible instrumental method. Purpose: To describe the echocardiographic findings of 67 patients with COVID-19 pneumonia. Methods: This was a retrospective observational cohort study included 67 patients admitted with COVID-19 pneumonia, confirmed on polymerase chain reaction testing and chest radiograph, who underwent transthoracic echocardiography. The mean age was 49±14 years, 54% were male. Most patients (66%) were admitted to a general medicine ward, 34% were admitted to the medical intensive care unit. Results: Normal echocardiogram had 35 (52%) patients, abnormal scan was observed in 32 (48%) patients. Left ventricular systolic function was normal in most cases. Left ventricular abnormalities were reported only in 13 (19%) patients with evidence of new myocardial infarction in 1 (1%) patient. Right ventricular was dilated in 24 (36%) patients, and impaired in 15 (22%) patients. Acute effusive pericarditis was reported in 2 (3%) patients. Conclusion: Right ventricular abnormalities were more common in admitted patients with COVID-19 pneumonia.