Clinical variables associated with late-onset thrombotic and cardiovascular events, after SARS-CoV-2 infection, in a cohort of patients from the first epidemic wave: an 18-month analysis on the “Surviving-COVID” cohort from Bergamo, Italy

Abstract

ImportancePopulation studies have recorded an increased, unexplained risk of post-acute cardiovascular and thrombotic events, up to 1 year after acute severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection.ObjectivesTo search for clinical variables and biomarkers associated with late post-acute thrombotic and cardiovascular events after SARS-CoV-2 infection.DesignRetrospective cohort study.SettingThird-level referral hospital in Bergamo (Italy).ParticipantsAnalysis of an existing database of adult patients, who received care for SARS-CoV-2 infection at our institution between 20 February and 30 September 2020, followed up on a single date (“entry date”) at 3–6 months.ExposureInitial infection by SARS-CoV-2.Main outcomes and measuresPrimary outcome: occurrence, in the 18 months after entry date, of a composite endpoint, defined by the International Classification of Diseases—9th edition (ICD-9) codes for at least one of: cerebral/cardiac ischemia, venous/arterial thrombosis (any site), pulmonary embolism, cardiac arrhythmia, heart failure. Measures (as recorded on entry date): history of initial infection, symptoms, current medications, pulmonary function test, blood tests results, and semi-quantitative radiographic lung damage (BRIXIA score). Individual clinical data were matched to hospitalizations, voluntary vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 (according to regulations and product availability), and documented reinfections in the following 18 months, as recorded in the provincial Health Authority database. A multivariable Cox proportional hazard model (including vaccine doses as a time-dependent variable) was fitted, adjusting for potential confounders. We report associations as hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI).ResultsAmong 1,515 patients (948 men, 62.6%, median age 59; interquartile range: 50–69), we identified 84 endpoint events, occurring to 75 patients (5%): 30 arterial thromboses, 11 venous thromboses, 28 arrhythmic and 24 heart failure events. From a multivariable Cox model, we found the following significant associations with the outcome: previous occurrence of any outcome event, in the 18 months before infection (HR: 2.38; 95% CI: 1.23–4.62); BRIXIA score ≥ 3 (HR: 2.43; 95% CI: 1.30–4.55); neutrophils-to-lymphocytes ratio ≥ 3.3 (HR: 2.60; 95% CI: 1.43–4.72), and estimated glomerular filtration rate < 45 ml/min/1.73 m2 (HR: 3.84; 95% CI: 1.49–9.91).Conclusions and relevanceWe identified four clinical variables, associated with the occurrence of post-acute thrombotic and cardiovascular events, after SARS-CoV-2 infection. Further research is needed, to confirm these results.