ELECTROLYTE IMBALANCES IN THE CONTEXT OF SARS-COV-2 INFECTION IN HYPERTENSIVE PATIENTS

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this study is to compare the clinical features and laboratory examinations in hypertensive patients diagnosed with Sars Cov 2 infection and electrolyte imbalance detected during hospitalization. Design and method: We conducted a retrospective study on 43 patients diagnosed with Sars Cov 2 infection admitted to an Internal Medicine department of an Emergency Hospital between January 2022 and October 2022. 43 patients diagnosed with Sars Cov 2 infection by RT-PCR test were admitted to the internal medicine department, most of them with a severe form of the disease (24 patients, 55%), of which only 8 patients (18.6%) were vaccinated anti Sars Cov 2. The average age of the patients was 78.7 years, with a minimum age of 62 years old and a maximum of 98 years old. The sex ration shows: females 26 patients (60.4%) and 17 men (39.6%). Patient comorbidities: 5 patients (11.62%) had neoplasms before hospitalization and 2 patients (4.65%) were diagnosed during hospitalization. Cognitive dysfunctions and dementia are found in 18 patients (41.86%) and all patients had a history of hypertension at admission. Heart failure in different stages is found in 15 patients (34.88%). 41.86% (18) of the patients had type 2 diabetes upon admission and 3 patients (6.97%) were diagnosed during hospitalization through specific tests. Atrial fibrillation is in a small percentage (31.23%-13 patients) and the frequently followed treatments are beta blockers (53.48%-23 patients) and thiazide and loop diuretics (17 patients-39.53%). 44.18% of patients died during hospitalization. Results: During the hospitalization, the patients presented various electrolytes disorders. An approximately equal number of patients, 22 and 23 respectively, had normal serum levels of sodium and potassium. Mild electrolytie disorders were prevalent: mild hyponatremia (7 pac, 16.27%) and hypokalemia followed the rule (20.93% - 9 patients). Conclusions: The electrolytic disorders occurring in the case of patients with multiple cardiovascular comorbidities and diagnosed with Sars Cov 2 infection can worsen their prognosis, ranging from psychiatric effects to death.