A significant amount of evidence suggests that COVID-19 is associated with cardiovascular disease, with myocarditis being the most common complication. Yet, the magnitude of myocardial injury among patients with COVID-19 is unknown. This study aims to assess the degree of myocardial injury and the related outcomes in patients with confirmed COVID-19.
This study included a total of 2,736 patients (median age 66.4 years, 59.6% men) with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 with troponin-I (normal value <0.03 mg/ml) measured within 24 h of admission. The primary outcome of the study was the prevalence of myocardial injury, along with the associated events in COVID-19 patients.
The findings suggested that cardiovascular disease, such as coronary artery disease, atrial fibrillation, and heart failure, was more common in patients with higher troponin concentrations. Besides, hypertension and diabetes were also more prevalent in patients with higher troponin levels. During the study, a total of 506 (18.5%) patients died during hospitalization, and 985 patients (36%) had increased troponin concentrations. Multivariable adjustments suggested that small amounts of myocardial injury were significantly associated with health among COVID-19 patients (HR 1.75).
The research concluded that myocardial injury was prevalent in COVID-19 patients, and those with higher troponin concentrations were at a higher risk of CVD.
Ref: https://www.onlinejacc.org/content/76/5/533
