Background:
Cardiac injury is a common complication in COVID-19. Both elevated troponin and myocardial dysfunction on trans-thoracic echocardiography (TTE) have been associated with increased in-hospital mortality. Possibly subclinical atherosclerosis plays an important role. The severity of coronary artery calcium (CAC) can be assessed on computed tomography (CT). This study aims to determine the relation between CAC and cardiac function in COVID-19 survivors.
Methods:
TTE was performed at 6-weeks after discharge for COVID-19. CAC was assessed on clinically performed non-gated, non-contrast enhanced chest CT. A comparison was made between patients without CAC versus patients with CAC and their cardiac function assessed on TTE.
Results:
In total 146 patients were included. Mean age was 62 years and 62.3% were male. Overall, only 12% had a reduced left ventricular ejection fraction(<50%), 34% reduced strain(>-16%) and 14% reduced right ventricular function (tricuspid annular planar systolic excursion <17mm). During admission elevated troponin was significantly related to CAC. There was no significant relation between CAC and myocardial function at 6 weeks.
Conclusion:
CAC was significantly associated with in-hospital cardiac injury in COVID-19 patients but not to myocardial function post-discharge. Only mild echocardiographic abnormalities were observed, suggesting demand ischemia as cause of cardiac injury.
Footnotes
Poster Contributions
For exact presentation time, refer to the online ACC.22 Program Planner at https://www.abstractsonline.com/pp8/#!/10461
Session Title: Spotlight on Special Topics Flatboard Poster Selections: COVID
Abstract Category: 61. Spotlight on Special Topics: Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19)