Comparison of Post-COVID Cardiac Complications between Severe and Non-Severe Patients

Abstract

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has become a community health issue, causing social and economic problems in almost all countries worldwide. COVID-19 infection had an increased risk of incidence of cardiovascular complications after the first 30 days of infection. There is no such type of study in our country. So, the study was conducted to identify the long-term post COVID-19 cardiac complications and its association with severity among the Post COVID-19 Patients. Methods: This prospective observational study was carried out in the Post COVID follow up Clinic of BSMMU, Dhaka over a period of March 2021 to June 2022 among COVID-19 sufferer patients who were attending Post COVID-19 follow up clinic for follow up. Sample was selected by convenient sampling technique and a p value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Cardiac complication is significantly observed in severe group of patients. In the 1st month only severe group of patients were suffering from myocarditis. However, all myocarditis patients recovered completely within 6 months with normal myocarditis. Heart failure and arrhythmia were significantly marked at severe group of patients at 1st month follow up but gradually improved in the 6th and 12th month follow up. Unlike the above-mentioned findings, pulmonary hypertension was deteriorating in subsequent follow up. Severe COVID and hypertension were significant risk factor for cardiac complications of post COVID patient. Conclusion: This study provides important information regarding long term post COVID cardiac complications. This study showed that Severe COVID was associated with significant incidence of heart failure, arrhythmia, acute coronary syndrome, pulmonary hypertension and myocarditis.