NEWS AND NOTES 1988, VOL.19, NO.3

https://digitalcommons.rockefeller.edu/news_and_notes_1988/1001/thumbnail.jp

Atrial fibrillation in patients with COVID-19. Usefulness of the CHA2DS2-VASc score: an analysis of the international HOPE COVID-19 registry

Introduction and objectives: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. Atrial fibrillation (AF) is common in acute situations, where it is associated with more complications and higher mortality. Methods: Analysis of the international HOPE registry (NCT04334291). The objective was to assess the prognostic information of AF in COVID-19 patients. A multivariate analysis and propensity score matching were performed to assess the relationship between AF and mortality. We also evaluated the impact on mortality and embolic events of the CHA2DS2-VASc score in these patients. Results: Among 6217 patients enrolled in the HOPE registry, 250 had AF (4.5%). AF patients had a higher prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors and comorbidities. After propensity score matching, these differences were attenuated. Despite this, patients with AF had a higher incidence of in-hospital complications such as heart failure (19.3% vs 11.6%, P =.021) and respiratory insufficiency (75.9% vs 62.3%, P =.002), as well as a higher 60-day mortality rate (43.4% vs 30.9%, P =.005). On multivariate analysis, AF was independently associated with higher 60-day mortality (hazard ratio, 1.234; 95%CI, 1.003-1.519). CHA2DS2-VASc score acceptably predicts 60-day mortality in COVID-19 patients (area ROC, 0.748; 95%CI, 0.733-0.764), but not its embolic risk (area ROC, 0.411; 95%CI, 0.147-0.675). Conclusions: AF in COVID-19 patients is associated with a higher number of complications and 60-day mortality. The CHA2DS2-VASc score may be a good risk marker in COVID patients but does not predict their embolic risk

Hydroxychloroquine and Mortality in SARS-Cov-2 Infection; the HOPE-Covid-19 Registry

Background: Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) may be an effective, safe, and affordable treatment for Covid-19 that can be used in selected patients. However, more evidence on its association when it is used in different stages of the disease with clinical outcomes is required. This observational study investigates the association between treatment with HCQ and mortality in patients with Covid-19. Methods: The data from 6217 patients who died or were discharged from 24 Spanish hospitals were analyzed. Propensity matching scores (PMS) were used. Results: 5094 patients received HCQ. Death was recorded for 17.5% of those who had HCQ and 34.1% of those who did not have it. Mortality was lower for those who had HCQ, OR=0.41 (95% CI=0.34-0.48). The PMS analysis also showed that mortality was lower for those receiving HCQ, OR=0.47 (95%CI=0.36-0.62). PMS analysis for categories revealed an association between HCQ and lowered mortality for patients over 65 years of age, with a past medical history of hypertension, for those who were diagnosed during admission with sepsis related organ failure or pneumonia, and for those with lymphocytopenia, raised troponin, LDH, ferritin and D-dimer. No increase in mortality associated with HCQ was observed in any category of any of the variables investigated. Conclusion: HCQ could be associated with lower mortality for older patients, those with more severe disease and raised inflammatory markers. Further RCTs, observational studies, and summaries of both types of evidence on this topic are necessary to select the precise profile of patients that may benefit from HCQ

Mortality risk assessment in Spain and Italy, insights of the HOPE COVID-19 registry

Recently the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak has been declared a pandemic. Despite its aggressive extension and significant morbidity and mortality, risk factors are poorly characterized outside China. We designed a registry, HOPE COVID-19 (NCT04334291), assessing data of 1021 patients discharged (dead or alive) after COVID-19, from 23 hospitals in 4 countries, between 8 February and 1 April. The primary end-point was all-cause mortality aiming to produce a mortality risk score calculator. The median age was 68 years (IQR 52\u201379), and 59.5% were male. Most frequent comorbidities were hypertension (46.8%) and dyslipidemia (35.8%). A relevant heart or lung disease were depicted in 20%. And renal, neurological, or oncological disease, respectively, were detected in nearly 10%. Most common symptoms were fever, cough, and dyspnea at admission. 311 patients died and 710 were discharged alive. In the death-multivariate analysis, raised as most relevant: age, hypertension, obesity, renal insufficiency, any immunosuppressive disease, 02 saturation < 92% and an elevated C reactive protein (AUC = 0.87; Hosmer\u2013Lemeshow test, p > 0.999; bootstrap-optimist: 0.0018). We provide a simple clinical score to estimate probability of death, dividing patients in four grades (I\u2013IV) of increasing probability. Hydroxychloroquine (79.2%) and antivirals (67.6%) were the specific drugs most commonly used. After a propensity score adjustment, the results suggested a slight improvement in mortality rates (adjusted-ORhydroxychloroquine 0.88; 95% CI 0.81\u20130.91, p = 0.005; adjusted-ORantiviral 0.94; 95% CI 0.87\u20131.01; p = 0.115). COVID-19 produces important mortality, mostly in patients with comorbidities with respiratory symptoms. Hydroxychloroquine could be associated with survival benefit, but this data need to be confirmed with further trials. Trial Registration: NCT04334291/EUPAS34399

2021 ISHNE/HRS/EHRA/APHRS collaborative statement on mHealth in Arrhythmia Management: Digital Medical Tools for Heart Rhythm Professionals

This collaborative statement from the International Society for Holter and Noninvasive Electrocardiology/Heart Rhythm Society/European Heart Rhythm Association/Asia Pacific Heart Rhythm Society describes the current status of mobile health (“mHealth”) technologies in arrhythmia management. The range of digital medical tools and heart rhythm disorders that they may be applied to and clinical decisions that may be enabled are discussed. The facilitation of comorbidity and lifestyle management (increasingly recognized to play a role in heart rhythm disorders) and patient self-management are novel aspects of mHealth. The promises of predictive analytics but also operational challenges in embedding mHealth into routine clinical care are explored