Abstract Background Literature is scarce on echocardiographic characteristics of COVID-19 patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU). Objectives To describe echocardiographic characteristics of ICU COVID-19 patients and associate them with clinical signals/symptoms, laboratory findings and outcomes. Methods Patients with RT-PCR-confirmed COVID-19, admitted to the ICU, who underwent echocardiography were included. Clinical characteristics associated with an abnormal echocardiogram (systolic ventricular dysfunction of any degree — left and/or right ventricle — and/or high filling pressures and/or moderate to severe pericardial effusion) were analyzed. Groups were compared using the Student’s t-test, chi-square, and logistic regression. A p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results A total of 140 patients met inclusion criteria, and 74 (52.9%) had an abnormal echocardiogram. A low number of left and right ventricular systolic dysfunction was observed, and 35% of the population had a normal diastolic function. In the univariate analysis, characteristics associated with abnormal echocardiogram were age, chronic kidney disease, elevated troponin, previous heart failure, and simplified acute physiology score 3 (SAPS 3). In the regression model, troponin and SAPS3 score were independent markers of abnormal echocardiogram. An abnormal echocardiogram was associated with a higher prevalence of in-hospital death (RR 2.10; 95% CI 1.04-4.24) and orotracheal intubation (RR 2.3; 95% CI 1.14-4.78). Conclusions COVID-19 has little effect on ventricular function, but it is common to find increased filling pressures. Elevated serum troponin level and SAPS3 score were the independent markers of an abnormal echocardiogram. In addition, the prevalence of in-hospital death and need for mechanical ventilation were higher in patients with abnormal echocardiogram.

Resumo Fundamento Alguns estudos demonstraram uma maior prevalência de óbitos em portadores de fatores de risco cardiovascular (FRC) durante internação por COVID-19. Objetivos Avaliar o impacto do alto risco cardiovascular em pacientes internados em terapia intensiva por COVID-19 Métodos Estudo retrospectivo com pacientes admitidos em terapia intensiva, com diagnóstico confirmado de COVID-19 por RT-PCR e com pelo menos uma dosagem de troponina durante a internação. Os critérios para definição de paciente de alto risco cardiovascular (ARC) foram: histórico de doença cardiovascular estabelecida (infarto, AVC ou doença arterial periférica), diabetes, doença renal crônica com clearance < 60ml/min ou presença de 3 FRC (hipertensão, tabagismo, dislipidemia ou idade > 65 anos). O desfecho primário deste estudo é mortalidade hospitalar por todas as causas. P<0,05 foi considerado significativo. Resultados Foram incluídos 236 pacientes, média de idade= 61,14±16,2 anos, com 63,1% homens, 55,5% hipertensos e 33,1% diabéticos. Um total de 47,4% dos pacientes apresentavam ARC. Observou-se um aumento significativo da mortalidade conforme aumento do número de fatores de risco (0 FRC: 5,9%; 1 FRC: 17,5%; 2 FRC: 32,2% e ≥3 FRC: 41,2%; p=0,001). Na regressão logística ajustada para gravidade (escore SAPS3), o grupo de alto risco cardiovascular e troponina elevada apresentou maior ocorrência de mortalidade hospitalar (OR 40,38; IC95% 11,78-138,39). Pacientes sem alto risco cardiovascular, mas com troponina elevada, também exibiram associação significativa com o desfecho primário (OR 16,7; IC95% 4,45-62,74). Conclusão Em pacientes internados em terapia intensiva por COVID-19, a presença de alto risco cardiovascular afeta a mortalidade hospitalar somente em pacientes que apresentaram elevação de troponina.

Abstract Background Some studies have shown a higher prevalence of deaths in patients with cardiovascular risk factors (CRF) during hospitalization for COVID-19. Objectives To assess the impact of high cardiovascular risk in patients hospitalized in intensive care for COVID-19 Methods Retrospective study with patients admitted to an intensive care unit, with a diagnosis of COVID-19 confirmed by RT-PCR, and with at least one troponin measurement during hospitalization. The criteria for defining high cardiovascular risk (HCR) patients were: history of established cardiovascular disease (myocardial infarction, stroke, or peripheral arterial disease), diabetes, chronic kidney disease with clearance < 60ml/min, or presence of 3 CRFs (hypertension, smoking, dyslipidemia, or age > 65 years). The primary outcome of this study is all-cause in-hospital mortality. P<0.05 was considered significant. Results This study included 236 patients, mean age = 61.14±16.2 years, with 63.1% men, 55.5% hypertensive, and 33.1% diabetic; 47.4% of the patients also presented HCR. A significant increase in mortality was observed as the number of risk factors increased (0 FRC: 5.9%; 1 FRC: 17.5%; 2 FRC: 32.2% and ≥3 FRC: 41.2%; p=0.001). In the logistic regression adjusted for severity (SAPS3 score), the HCR and myocardial injury group had a higher occurrence of in-hospital mortality (OR 40.38; 95% CI 11.78-138.39). Patients without HCR but with myocardial injury also exhibited a significant association with the primary outcome (OR 16.7; 95% CI 4.45-62.74). Conclusion In patients hospitalized in intensive care for COVID-19, HCR impacts in-hospital mortality only in patients with myocardial injury.