Echocardiographic features of patients with COVID-19 infection: a cross-sectional study

COVID-19 patients with cardiac involvement have a high mortality rate. The aim of this study was to investigate the echocardiographic features in COVID-19 patients between severe and non-severe groups. For this single-center study, data from patients who were treated for COVID-19 between March 25, 2020 and April 15, 2020 were collected. Two-dimensional echocardiography (2DE) images were obtained for all patients. Patients were divided into two groups based on the severity of their COVID-19 infections. 2DE parameters indicating right ventricular (RV) and left ventricular (LV) functions were compared between the two groups. A total of 90 patients hospitalized for COVID-19 were included in this study. The mean age of the severe group (n = 44) was 63.3 +/- 15.7 years, and 54% were male. The mean age of non-severe group (n = 46) was 49.7 +/- 21.4 years, and 47% were male. In the severe group, RV and LV diameters were larger (RV, 36.6 +/- 5.9 mm vs. 33.1 +/- 4.8 mm, p = 0.003; LV 47.3 +/- 5.8 mm vs. 44.9 +/- 3.8 mm, p = 0.023), the LE ejection fraction (LVEF) and the RV fractional area change (RV-FAC) were lower (LVEF, 54.0 +/- 9.8% vs. 61.9 +/- 4.8%, p < 0.001; RV-FAC, 41.4 +/- 4.1% vs. 45.5 +/- 4.5%, p < 0.001), and pericardial effusions were more frequent (23% vs. 0%) compared to patients in the non-severe group. A multiple linear regression analysis determined that LVEF, right atrial diameter, high-sensitivity troponin I, d-dimer, and systolic pulmonary artery pressure, were independent predictors of RV dilatation. The results demonstrate that both right and left ventricular functions decreased due to COVID-19 infection in the severe group. 2DE is a valuable bedside tool and may yield valuable information about the clinical status of patients and their prognoses

Evaluation of biventricular function in patients with COVID-19 using speckle tracking echocardiography

A new infectious outbreak sustained by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is now spreading all around the world. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prognostic value of left ventricular global longitudinal strain (LV-GLS) and right ventricular longitudinal strain (RV-LS) in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). In this prospective, single-center study, data were gathered from patients treated for COVID-19 between April 15 and April 30, 2020. Two-dimensional echocardiography (2-DE) and speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) images were obtained for all patients. Patients were divided into three groups: those with severe COVID-19 infection, those with non-severe COVID-19 infection, and those without COVID-19 infection (the control group). Data regarding clinical characteristics and laboratory findings were obtained from electronic medical records. The primary endpoint was in-hospital mortality. A total of 100 patients hospitalized for COVID-19 were included in this study. The mean age of the severe group (n = 44) was 59.1 +/- 12.9, 40% of whom were male. The mean age of the non-severe group (n = 56) was 53.7 +/- 15.1, 58% of whom were male. Of these patients, 22 died in the hospital. In patients in the severe group, LV-GLS and RV-LS were decreased compared to patients in the non-severe and control groups (LV-GLS: - 14.5 +/- 1.8 vs. - 16.7 +/- 1.3 vs. - 19.4 +/- 1.6, respectively [p < 0.001]; RV-LS: - 17.2 +/- 2.3 vs. - 20.5 +/- 3.2 vs. - 27.3 +/- 3.1, respectively [p < 0.001]). The presence of cardiac injury, D-dimer, arterial oxygen saturation (SaO2), LV-GLS (OR 1.63, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.08-2.47; p = 0.010) and RV-LS (OR 1.55, 95% CI 1.07-2.25; p = 0.019) were identified as independent predictors of mortality via multivariate analysis. LV-GLS and RV-LS are independent predictors of in-hospital mortality in patients with COVID-19

Elevated D-dimer levels on admission are associated with severity and increased risk of mortality in COVID-19: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background: In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we aimed to investigate the correlation of D-dimer levels measured on admission with disease severity and the risk of death in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pneumonia

The short-term outcomes of MitraClip implantation:. single-center experience in Turkey

Background: This study aims to evaluate the procedural success and early outcomes of MitraClip implantation

Serum Asymmetric Dimethylarginine Levels in Patients with Vasovagal Syncope

Background and Objectives: Vasovagal syncope (VVS) is the most common cause of syncope and has multiple pathophysiological mechanisms. Asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) is the major inhibitor of nitric oxide (NO). In this study, we aimed to investigate the relationship between plasma ADMA levels and syncope during the head-up tilt (HUT) test. Materials and Methods: Overall, 97 patients were included in this study. They were above 18 years of age and were admitted to our clinic with the complaint of at least one episode of syncope consistent with VVS. The HUT test was performed in all patients. Patients were divided into the following two groups based on the HUT test results: group 1 included 57 patients with a positive HUT test and group 2 included 35 patients with a negative HUT test. Blood samples were taken before and immediately after the HUT test to measure ADMA levels. Results: No significant intergroup differences were observed concerning gender and age (female gender 68% vs 60%; mean age 24.85 +/- 4.01 vs 25.62 +/- 3.54 years, respectively, for groups 1 and 2). ADMA values were similar between groups 1 and 2 before the HUT test [ADMA of 958 (544-1418) vs 951 (519-1269); p = 0.794]. In the negative HUT group, no significant differences were observed in ADMA levels before and after the HUT test [ADMA of 951 (519-1269) vs 951 (519-1566); p = 0.764]. However, in the positive HUT group, ADMA levels were significantly decreased following the HUT test [pretest ADMA of 958 (544-1418) vs post-test ADMA of 115 (67-198); p < 0.001]. Conclusion: ADMA levels significantly decreased after the HUT test in patients with VVS