Subclinical myocardial dysfunction in patients recovered from COVID‐19. Issue 10 (21st October 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Italia, Leonardo; Ingallina, Giacomo; Napolano, Antonio; Boccellino, Antonio; Belli, Martina; Cannata, Francesco; Rolando, Marco; Ancona, Francesco; Melillo, Francesco; Stella, Stefano; Ripa, Marco; Scarpellini, Paolo; Tresoldi, Moreno; Ortalda, Alessandro; Righetti, Beatrice; De Cobelli, Francesco; Esposito, Antonio; Ciceri, Fabio; Castagna, Antonella; Rovere, Patrizia Querini; Fragasso, Gabriele; Agricola, Eustachio
• Is Part Of: Echocardiography. Volume 38:Issue 10(2021)
• Page Start: 1778
• Page End: 1786
• Publication Date: 2021-10-21
• Subjects: COVID‐19 -- echocardiography -- heart failure -- myocarditis -- strain; Echocardiography -- Periodicals; Echocardiography -- Periodicals; 616.1207543
• DOI: 10.1111/echo.15215
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0742-2822

Abstract

Abstract: Background: Myocardial injury (MI) can be detected during the acute phase of Coronavirus disease 19 (COVID‐19) and is associated with a dismal prognosis. Recent imaging studies described the persistence of cardiac abnormalities after the recovery. The aim of the study was to investigate the spectrum of cardiac abnormalities at mid‐term follow‐up in patients recovered from COVID‐19 using clinical assessment, laboratory tests, and imaging evaluation with comprehensive echocardiography. Methods: This is an observational, cross‐sectional study assessing an unselected cohort of consecutive patients recovered from COVID‐19. MI was defined by elevated plasma levels of high sensitive troponin T (hsTnT). At the follow‐up, a complete examination including echocardiography was performed. Results: The 123 patients included were divided into two groups according to the presence of MI during hospitalization: group A (without MI) and group B (with MI). After a median of 85 days, group B patients were more frequently symptomatic for dyspnea and had significantly higher values of hsTnT and N‐Terminal prohormone of Brain Natriuretic Peptide (NT‐proBNP), compared to Group A. No differences between the two groups in left nor right ventricle dimension and ejection fraction were found. However, in group B a significant reduction of mean left ventricle global longitudinal strain was observed (‐15.7±.7 vs ‐18.1± .3 in group A, p < 0.001), together with higher frequency of impaired diastolic function and higher values of pulmonary pressure. Conclusions: In patients recovered from COVID‐19, echocardiography with speckle‐tracking analysis may be an useful imaging tool to identify subclinical myocardial dysfunction and potentially guide management strategies.