A systematic assessment of myocardial involvement and cardiovascular events up to six months in patients hospitalised with COVID-19
Authors: Wilmes N , Asselbergs F W , Daems J J N , Jorstad H T , Tieleman R G , Ghossein-Doha C , Linschoten M 
Published: October 2024

Background

Retrospective cohort studies indicate that myocardial injury occurs in approximately 25% of patients hospitalised with COVID-19. However, prospective studies with a systematic assessment of myocardial involvement and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) after COVID-19 are scarce.

Purpose

The primary objective was to determine the incidence of MACE within six months of hospitalisation. MACE was defined as a composite of cardiac death, sudden death, life-threatening ventricular arrhythmia's, heart failure, non-fatal myocardial infarction, and/or non-fatal stroke. The main secondary objective was to determine the frequency of other cardiac complications not covered by this definition.

Methods

We conducted a prospective multicenter cohort study in 13 Dutch medical centers. Adult patients hospitalised with COVID-19 were consecutively recruited (May 2021-April 2023). Exclusion criteria were age ≥70 years, a history of new cardiac disease in the past six months, or dependency in the activities of daily living. Cardiac involvement was evaluated by a standardised healthcare pathway that was implemented in participating hospitals. All patients received an electrocardiogram, transthoracic echocardiogram, and troponin measurement at admission and at six months follow-up. Furthermore, a questionnaire was distributed at three and six months after admission to collect information on post-COVID symptomatology.

Results

In total 190 patients were included, median age of 57 years [IQR 48; 64], mostly male (n=110, 60%) and white (n=136, 72%). Cardiovascular risk factors were present in 116 (61.1%) patients and 33 (17.4%) had a history of cardiac disease. At admission, troponin was above the upper limit of normal in 68 (35.8%) patients. Seven (3.7%) patients died during follow-up. The cumulative incidence of MACE was 2.6% at discharge with no additional events during follow-up. Other cardiac complications were detected in 18 (9.5%) patients during admission with 3 (1.6%) additional events at six months follow-up. Supraventricular tachycardias (n=8, 4.2%) were the most common cardiac complication. Other complications were myocarditis (n=2, 1.1%), pericarditis (n=1, 0.5%), non-sustained ventricular tachycardia (n=1, 0.5%), and other arrhythmias or conduction disorders (n=5, 2.6%). At six months follow-up, three (2.3%) patients reported chest pain, with one requiring a percutaneous coronary intervention. Palpitations and dizziness were experienced by 88.9% and 83.3% of patients three months after admission but the prevalence of these symptoms decreased to 9.8% and 11.8% at six months.

Conclusion

With a systematic assessment, one in three patients hospitalized with COVID-19 have elevated troponin levels at admission. However, the overall incidence of MACE within six months is low. Palpitations and dizziness are commonly reported after discharge but these symptoms disappeared for most participants within six months.