Medizinische Universität Graz Austria/Österreich - Forschungsportal - Medical University of Graz
Gewählte Publikation:
Zsilavecz, V.
Significance of Cardiovascular Comorbidities in Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
Humanmedizin; [ Diplomarbeit ] Medizinische Universität Graz; 2022. pp. 60
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- Autor*innen der Med Uni Graz:
- Betreuer*innen:
- Rainer Peter
- Wallner Markus
- Altmetrics:
- Abstract:
- Abstract Background Pre-existing cardiovascular disease and risk factors are frequent in hospitalized SARS-CoV-2 infected patients and strongly affect outcomes. Furthermore, studies suggest that a considerable proportion of hospitalized patients with COVID-19 develops symptoms that persist for more than twelve weeks and cannot be explained by an alternative diagnosis (“Post-COVID-19 syndrome”). Here, we report data on the prevalence of cardiovascular disease, risk factors and hospital outcome as well as six months outcome of COVID-19 first-wave inpatients at the University Hospital of Graz, Austria. Methods A registry of 96 patients with PCR-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection that were treated at the University Hospital of Graz between February and the beginning of May was established and a prospective follow-up was conducted. Patients were characterized regarding pre-existing cardiovascular disease, risk factors, other chronic diseases, laboratory results and intra-hospital, 3- and 6-month outcomes were determined. Results The majority of hospitalized patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection (77.1%) had pre-existing cardiovascular disease (46.9%) and/or cardiovascular risk factors (69.8%). 25 patients (26.0%) were admitted to the ICU and 26 patients (27.1%) died. The adjusted (sex, age, BMI) odds ratios for death were significantly higher in patients suffering from heart failure (OR: 13.1; 95%-CI: 2.5-67.2; p: 0.002), ischemic heart disease (OR: 5.7; 95%-CI: 1.6-20.1; p: 0.006) and diabetes (OR: 13.2; 95%-CI: 3.4-51.9; p: <0.001). Of the 70 patients discharged from hospital, 18 patients (25.7%) were at least once re-hospitalized and 7 patients (10.0%) died during the follow-up period. All deaths occurred in the group of patients with pre-existing cardiovascular disease or at least one cardiovascular risk factor (arterial hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidaemia). In total, 33 patients (34.4%) died either during hospitalization or the follow-up period. The presence of pre-existing cardiovascular disease was significantly associated with a higher mortality. Conclusion The prevalence of cardiovascular disease and/or risk factors is high in patients with PCR-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection requiring inpatient care. Heart failure, ischemic heart disease, and diabetes were predictors of intra-hospital mortality and cardiovascular patients were at higher risk of being treated at the ICU and ventilated. 10% of all patients that were available for follow-up died within six months after discharge from hospital and all deaths occurred in patients with pre-existing cardiovascular disease and/or risk factors.