Electrocardiogram and echocardiogram patterns among ischemic stroke patients during COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

Objectives. Diabetic Ischemic strokes are mostly thromboembolic mainly originating from cardiac diseases. We aimed to assess electrocardiogram and echocardiogram abnormalities in patients with ischemic stroke during the COVID-19 pandemic. Material and methods. This retrospective cross-sectional, hospital-based study was conducted among 299 ischemic stroke patients who were hospitalized in the stroke center, in the north of Iran in 2021. All the data were gathered by checklist from electronic health records. Outcomes. The mean age of participants was 70.37 ± 11.89 (Range: 39, 79) and 134 (44.82%) of them were men. Out of 299 patients, 44 (14.72%) were diagnosed with COVID-19 infection and 75 (25.1%) died in hospital. The most common abnormalities of electrocardiogram and echocardiogram were AF rhythm (22.41%) and mitral valve dysfunction (89.63%), respectively. In univariate analysis, associations were detected between COVID-19 with diastolic and aortic valve dysfunction (P=0.024, P=0.053, respectively) but not with electrocardiogram abnormalities. EF<40 (P=0.005), left ventricular enlargement (P=0.027), right ventricular enlargement (P=0.021), diastolic dysfunction (P=0.003), left atrial enlargement (P<0.001), mitral valve dysfunction (P=0.037) and aortic valve dysfunction (P=0.005) were significantly associated with mortality. In multivariate analysis, no significant association was detected between COVID-19 with echocardiogram and electrocardiogram abnormalities. Conclusions. Aging, comorbidities and atrial fibrillation play an important role in ischemic stroke incidence. COVID-19 may not have any significant associations with echocardiogram and electrocardiogram abnormalities in ischemic stroke patients.