LACK OF CARDIOVASCULAR EVENTS AFTER ONE YEAR FOLLOW-UP IN PATIENTS FOLLOWED HOSPITAL ADMISSION FOR MODERATE TO SEVERE COVID-19 PNEUMONIA

Abstract

Objective: There is increasing evidence that SARS-CoV-2 infection may involve many organs, including cardiovascular system, possibly causing not only acute but cardiovascular events in the long term. In this retrospective analysis we investigated cardiovascular events during a long time span since hospitalization (384 days and 848) on two different groups of patients. Design and method: This study considers two different groups: the first included 43 patients from the second-third wave (October 2020-May 2021), hospitalized in our Internal Medicine ward for moderate to severe SARS-CoV2 related pneumonia treated with high-flow oxygen support that accepted to be re-evaluated after an average period of 324 days by quality-of-life questionnaire, standard laboratory tests, chest computed tomography, spirometry with evaluation of DLCO. Mean age was 63 years, 28% (12/43) were female and 72% (31/43) were male. The second group included 82 patients from the first wave (February 2020-May 2022) over 94 that underwent a similar follow-up protocol after a mean of 4 month (no CV events at that time) and were contacted with a phone interview assessing quality of life and cardiovascular event after a mean of 848±16 days. Mean age was 66 years, 37% (30/82) were female and 63% (52/82) were male. Results: None of the first group of 43 patients had major cardiovascular events: coronary heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, peripheral arterial disease, deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism. Of them, 35% suffered from heart diseases, 56% of them were hypertensives and 23% had type-2 diabetes; 12% had chronic kidney disease and 49% was obese; In the second group one patient underwent a PTCA and another had an apparently non-provoked pulmonary embolism, but no other major cardiovascular events were reported Among second group, 18% had heart diseases, 51% hypertension, 17% type 2 diabetes; 6% chronic kidney disease and 39% were obese Conclusions: This study has some limitations, anyway, failed to demonstrate a higher new-onset CV events compared with normal population. Il is plausible that longer follow-up studies with much higher numbers or more detailed analyses are needed to better define cardiovascular risk following SARS-CoV-2 infection.