Electrocardiographic markers of increased risk of sudden cardiac death in patients with COVID‐19 pneumonia

BackgroundLittle is known about the role of ECG markers of increased risk of sudden cardiac death during the acute period of coronavirus disease 2019 ( COVID‐19) pneumonia.ObjectivesTo evaluate ECG markers of sudden cardiac death on admission, including the index of cardiac electrophysiological balance (iCEB) (QTc/QRS) and transmural dispersion of repolarization (TDR) (T from peak to end (Tp‐e) interval and Tp‐e/QTc), in patients with COVID‐19 pneumonia.Patients and methodsThis cross‐sectional study included 63 patients with newly diagnosed COVID‐19 pneumonia who presented to the outpatient clinic or admitted to the respiratory care unit between August 20 and September 15, 2020. Forty‐six persons matched for sex and age were selected from data collected before COVID‐19 pandemic.ResultsQRS and QTc showed a significant prolongation in patients with COVID‐19 pneumonia compared to the controls (87 vs. 78, p < .00, and 429 versus. 400, p < .00, respectively). After categorization of patients with COVID‐19 pneumonia into 3 groups according to the severity of pneumonia as mild‐moderate, severe, and critical groups, a decreased values of QRS were observed in the critical COVID‐19 pneumonia group compared to severe and mild‐moderate COVID‐19 pneumonia groups (p = .04) while increased values of QTc and iCEB(QTc/QRS) were noted in critical COVID‐19 pneumonia group compared to other 2 groups(p < .00).ConclusionsPatients with COVID‐19 pneumonia showed significant changes in repolarization and conduction parameters compared to controls. Patients with mild to severe COVID‐19 pneumonia may be at low risk for torsades de pointes development.     

Predictors of adverse in-hospital outcome and recovery in patients with diabetes mellitus and COVID-19 pneumonia in Iraq

Background and aimsThere is limited data about the prognosis and impact of COVID-19 pneumonia on patients with diabetes mellitus (DM). We aimed to assess blood indices, ECG markers of sudden death and malignant arrhythmias on admission, and diabetes lowering drugs as possible predictors of adverse in-hospital outcome and COVID-19 pneumonia recovery status.MethodsA retrospective study included patients with newly diagnosed COVID-19 pneumonia from August 20, to October 5, 2020.ResultsA total of 192 patients with COVID-19 pneumonia were included in the present study, of whom 67 patients had DM. Low lymphocytes % [0.4(0.1–0.9), P = .011] and QTc interval prolongation [0.4(0.1–0.8), P = .022] were associated with increased length of ICU stay. On the other hand, metformin use [0.3(0.2–4), P = .032] and DPP-4 inhibitors use [0.3(0.2–3), P = .040] were associated with decreased length of ICU stay. QTc interval prolongation [0.4(0.1–0.9), P = .017] was associated with increased length of hospital stay, while using metformin [0.4(0.2–3), P = .022] was associated with decreased length of hospital stay. Low lymphocytes % [0.5(0.4–1.6), P = .001], insulin use [0.4(0.3–5), P = .003], and old age [0.5(0.1–2.3), P = .025] were associated with extensive lung injury. The risk for in-hospital death was associated with high neutrophil% [1(1–1.4), P = .045], while metformin use was associated with decreased risk for in-hospital death [0.1(0.1–0.6), P = .025]. Insulin use [0.3(0.2–4), P = .013] was associated with partial recovery following acute COVID pneumonia.ConclusionsMetformin and DPP-4 inhibitors use were associated with favorable in-hospital outcomes, while insulin use was associated with extensive lung injury and post-acute COVID-19 pneumonia partial recovery.