Abstract

Aim: To evaluate the cardiovascular changes associated with covid-19
Methods: One hundred consecutive patients diagnosed with COVID-19 infection
underwent complete echocardiographic evaluation within 24 hours of admission and were
compared with reference values. Echocardiographic studies included left ventricular (LV)
systolic and diastolic function and valve hemodynamics and right ventricular (RV)
assessment, as well as lung ultrasound. A second examination was performed in case of
clinical deterioration.
Results: Clinical data were collected in 120 consecutive patients hospitalized with
COVID-19 infection. A total of 20 patients were excluded because they did not undergo
echocardiographic assessment. The reasons for not performing the echocardiogram were as
follows: hospital discharge within 24 hours of admission (8 patients), patient refusal (2
patient), and death shortly after hospitalisation (8 patients, all >80 years of age and with a
“do not resuscitate” status).
Conclusions: patients presenting with clinical deterioration at follow-up, acute RV
dysfunction, with or without deep vein thrombosis, is more common, but acute LV systolic
dysfunction was noted in ≈20%.