614 PREDICTIVE ROLE OF ECHOCARDIOGRAPHIC PULMONARY TO LEFT ATRIAL RATIO FOR IN-HOSPITAL DEATH IN PATIENTS WITH COVID-19

Abstract

Abstract Background and aims Echocardiographic Pulmonary to Left Atrial ratio (ePLAR, tricuspid regurgitation Vmax/mitral E/e') represents an accurate and sensitive non-invasive tool to estimate trans-pulmonary pressure gradient, showing a sensitivity for pre-capillary pulmonary obstruction higher than traditional echocardiographic measures. The prognostic value of ePLAR in patients with coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) remains unknown. We aimed to investigate the predictive role of ePLAR on mortality in COVID-19 patients. Methods One hundred consecutive patients admitted in two Italian institutions for COVID-19 undergoing early echocardiographic examination were included. ePLAR was determined from the maximum tricuspid regurgitation velocity at continuous wave Doppler (m/s) divided by the transmitral E-wave: septal mitral annular Doppler Tissue Imaging e′-wave ratio (TRVmax/E:e′). Main outcome measure was in-hospital death. Results Patients who died during hospitalization had a higher prevalence of tricuspid regurgitation, higher ePLAR and right-side pressures, lower Tricuspid Annular Plane Systolic Excursion (TAPSE)/Pulmonary Artery Systolic Pressure (PASP) ratio and reduced inferior vena cava collapse than survivors. Patients with ePLAR >0.28 m/s showed increased in-hospital mortality compared to those having ePLAR ≤0.28 m/s (27% vs 10.8%, p=0.05, Figure). A Cox model of multivariate analysis demonstrated that an ePLAR >0.28 m/s was independently associated with increased risk of death (HR 5.07, 95% CI 1.04-24.50, p=0.043), particularly among patients with increased pulmonary arterial pressure. Conclusions A high ePLAR value at baseline predicts in-hospital death in patients with COVID-19, especially in those with elevated pulmonary arterial pressure. These results support an early ePLAR assessment in patients admitted for COVID-19 to identify those at higher risk and potentially to guide strategies of diagnosis and treatment.