Mortality Factors in COVID-19 Patients with Preexisting Cardiovascular Disease
Authors: Batushkin V , Dakalov D 
Published: December 2020

Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, management of patients with severe cardiovascular disease has become much more complicated. The paper describes first-hand experience of managing a COVID-19 patient with chronic heart failure secondary to myocardial infarction who died from sudden cardiac death. Mortality risk factors in COVID-19-associated cardiac patients are discussed. The authors describe a case of a female patient B., 67 years old, who was taken to the hospital by ambulance with a preliminary diagnosis of community-acquired right lower lobe pneumonia, respiratory failure (RF) II (SpO294%). Coronary heart disease (CHD). Athero-sclerotic and postinfarction (2019) cardiosclerosis. Permanent atrial fibrillation. Hypertension, stage III, grade 3, risk 4 (stroke, 2019). Heart failure (HF) II-A (NYHA class II). Rapid tests for the diagnosis of influenza A and B and detection of COVID-19 antibodies IgG and IgM were negative. From the patient’s history it was found out that over the last 2 months she was in a private medical rehabilitation center. Nine days before her hospitalization, her relatives took her home. According to them, the patient developed fever (37.5–38.4 °C) 4 days before hospitalization, she took paracetamol in her discretion. On admission, her body temperature was 37.5 °C. The patient was hospitalized to the triage department; on the day of hospitalization, her nasopharyngeal lavage was taken for real-time PCR (polymerase chain reaction) for COVID-19. During the hospital stay the patient’s condition stabilized. The next day after hospitalization, the maximum body temperature was within 37.0 °C, shortness of breath decreased, heart rate slowed, RF disappeared, room-air SpO2increased up to 96%. According to the results of echocardiography, the left ventricle (LV) pump function remained preserved (LV ejection fraction was 50%), LV cavities were slightly enlarged, and valvular pathology was characterized by moderate mitral and tricuspid insufficiency. The area of hypokinesia due to myocardial infarction was determined only in the apical segment of the lateral wall and was compensated due to moderate left ventricular hypertensive hypertrophy (left ventricular mass index 129 g/L2). R wave amplitude on the electrocardiography was preserved, which indicated relative compensation of the central hemodynamics of the patient B. On day 2 of hospitalization, the patient’s condition remained stable. The body temperature normalized, leg swelling disappeared, cough and shortness of breath decreased, physical activity significantly improved. The patient was examined by an infectious disease specialist. After receiving the COVID-19 test result (positive PCR test), it was agreed to transfer the patient to a coronavirus hospital for further treatment in the infectious department. However, the patient died suddenly. Final diagnosis: coronavirus disease. COVID-19. Community-acquired bilateral lower lobe pneumonia (viral). Respiratory failure (RF) – 0. CHD. Atherosclerotic and postinfarction (2019) cardiosclerosis. Permanent atrial fibrillation. Hypertension, stage III, grade 3, risk 4 (stroke, 2019). HF II-B. Since dissection was not performed, the exact cause of death is unknown. The article describes important aspects of diagnosis and treatment that can prevent mortality. The authors emphasize that prevention and control of infectious diseases should be prioritized at any time. Individual measures of diagnosis and treatment should be taken considering specific local epidemic situations.