Abstract 4142337: Takotsubo Syndrome During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Circulation, Volume 150, Issue Suppl_1, Page A4142337-A4142337, November 12, 2024. Background:We previously demonstrated a significantly increased inpatient mortality of COVID-19 infection-induced male Takotsubo (TTS) patients during the early pandemic period. Since then, our management of COVID-19 prevention and treatment have evolved significantly, reducing both hospitalization and mortality rates. With these advancements, we have analyzed the clinical characteristics and outcomes of reported COVD-19-associated TTS patients since the initial pandemic.Research Question:What are the clinical characteristics and mortality outcomes of COVID-19-associated TTS patients especially in the context of improved prevention and treatment?Aims:To identify clinical characteristics and outcome correlates in patients with COVID-19-associated TTS.Methods:We completed a systematic review of 191 patients with TTS from 95 published case reports, 13 case series, and 4 observational cross-sectional/cohort studies published from April 1, 2020 to May 1, 2024 (PubMed). We performed clustering analysis using the clinical, imaging, and inpatient mortality data of 78 patients, which categorized groups of patients based on how closely associated or similar they are relative to other groups. Following this, we applied feature analysis to identify which features contributed the most to the clustering results.Results:Of all TTS cases, the mean age was 64.2±16.1 with 32.9% males. A total of 122 (63.9%) had COVID-19 infection, 21 (11.0%) had COVID-19 vaccination, and 50 (26.2%) patients had other triggers (2 patients had both COVID-19 infection and a non-infectious trigger). In-hospital mortality was 28.6% (16 of 56) for males and 13.2% (15 of 114) for females (p-value = 0.01). There was no association between COVID-19 vaccine administration and in-hospital mortality (0%, 0 of 21). There were notable differences in the clinical and demographic characteristics of TTS patients before and after September 2021 based on clustering analysis. Feature analysis indicated that COVID-19-induced TTS strongly correlated with in-hospital mortality and long-term adverse outcome in male patients.Conclusion:More male TTS patients were found during the pandemic than is expected of the traditional TTS archetype. A triad of “male, COVID-19 infection and TTS” appears to predict higher inpatient mortality. Compared to our prior study, inpatient mortality rates for TTS COVID patients have declined for all groups. Vaccine-induced TTS is associated with a benign clinical phenotype.

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Novembre 2024

Abstract 4143772: Genome wide association study meta-analysis of 19,487 individuals with mitral valve prolapse identifies 52 novel genomic regions and highlights pro-fibrosis genes

Circulation, Volume 150, Issue Suppl_1, Page A4143772-A4143772, November 12, 2024. Introduction:Mitral valve prolapse (MVP) is the most common cause of primary mitral regurgitation and is estimated to affect between 1-3% of the general population. A subset of individuals with MVP develop malignant arrhythmias, often in the context of myocardial fibrosis. The genetics of MVP, and genetic factors explaining why only some individuals with MVP have adverse outcomes, remains poorly understood.Methods:We defined MVP using a combination of claims data and echocardiographic diagnosis across 15 cohorts spanning 5 countries and performed a meta-analysis of genome-wide association studies (GWAS) for MVP including 19,487 MVP cases among 2,247,054 individuals. Causal genes were prioritized using a combination of methods including the identification of variants in active promoters/enhancers using mitral valve ATAC-seq data from an external dataset. To determine whether prioritized genes may be differentially expressed in myocardial fibrosis, we compared single-cell RNA sequencing between fibrosed papillary muscles and normal left ventricular among two individuals with severe MVP.Results:There were 67 unique genome-wide significant (GWS; p

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Novembre 2024

Abstract 4139661: Usefulness of High-sensitive Troponin I and N-terminal pro-B-type Natriuretic Peptide in Coronavirus Disease 2019 Risk Stratification on and after Omicron Variant Waves: COVID-MI Registry Cohort-2 Analysis

Circulation, Volume 150, Issue Suppl_1, Page A4139661-A4139661, November 12, 2024. Introduction:Troponin-defined myocardial injury or N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) elevation frequently coincides with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Our prior study (COVID-MI Registry Cohort-1) confirmed that high-sensitive troponin I (HsTnI) and NT-proBNP effectively stratified mortality risk. However, variants of severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) change rapidly, and it remains unclear whether these biomarkers are consistently effective in predicting prognosis of COVID-19 patients irrespective of epidemic periods.Research Questions:Can HsTnI or NT-proBNP stratify mortality risk in recent COVID-19 cohorts?Aims:To assess the potential of HsTnI and NT-proBNP levels for risk stratification in the recent COVID-19 waves.Methods:In the COVID-MI Registry Cohort-2, we enrolled 1115 consecutive COVID-19 patients admitted between October 2021 and October 2022, during the Omicron variant endemic. We collected data of HsTnI or NT-proBNP levels from hospital charts or using the samples in our hospital’s serum/plasma bank if the data were not available. The primary outcome measure was all-cause mortality.Results:On admission, more than one-third of patients were classified as having severe COVID-19. HsTnI and NT-proBNP levels were available for 427 and 414 patients, respectively. The median HsTnI and NT-proBNP levels were 16 (interquartile range [IQR]: 5-57) ng/L and 524 (IQR: 140-2056) pg/mL, respectively. We stratified the patients into three groups by HsTnI level:

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Novembre 2024

Abstract 4141946: Characterization of Cardiac, Autonomic, and Exercise Physiology in Patients with Long COVID

Circulation, Volume 150, Issue Suppl_1, Page A4141946-A4141946, November 12, 2024. INTRODUCTION:Mechanisms contributing to the post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 (PASC, aka Long COVID) and associated functional limitations are unclear.RESEARCH QUESTION:Determine cardiovascular, autonomic and exercise physiology among patients with Long COVID.METHODS:Twenty-one Long COVID patients (16 females, 41±12yrs) underwent cardiovascular assessment during head-up tilt at supine, 30oand 60o, a 10-minute upright standing orthostatic challenge and cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET). Baroreceptor sensitivity was determined with Valsalva maneuver. Heart rate (HR) and blood pressure (BP) were monitored continuously. Plasma norepinephrine (NE) was monitored during tilt.RESULTS:During tilt, HR increased with transition from supine to 30oand 60o(72±12 v. 80±14 v. 90±15bpm, P

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Novembre 2024

Abstract 4126581: COVID-19 Impacted Septal Reduction Therapies in Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy

Circulation, Volume 150, Issue Suppl_1, Page A4126581-A4126581, November 12, 2024. Background:Coronavirus Disease-19 (COVID-19) pandemic had a significant impact on emergent and elective treatment strategies in patients with cardiovascular disease. We aimed to examine the impact of COVID-19 on septal reduction therapy (SRT) in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM).Methods:National Inpatient Sample 2019-2021 was queried to identify patients with HCM and SRT using appropriate ICD codes. Temporal trends for SRT were obtained before and after COVID-19 outset.Results:There was a significant decline in the number of SRT from 2019 to 2020 (1505 vs. 1180, p

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Novembre 2024

Abstract 4139757: COVID-19-Related Changes in Dalily Life, Concerns, and Their Associations with Sleep Disturbances

Circulation, Volume 150, Issue Suppl_1, Page A4139757-A4139757, November 12, 2024. Background:The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly exacerbated sleep problems. Pandemic-related lockdowns and drastic changes in daily life have disrupted sleep patterns, resulting in a marked increase in sleep disturbances.Research questions:This study aims to investigate the primary factors contributing to the increase in sleep disturbances during the COVID-19 pandemic in Korea. By utilizing nationally representative data encompassing various variables, this study seeks to identify COVID-19-related factors associated with sleep disturbances during the pandemic.Method:We analyzed data from the nationally representative Korea Community Health Survey conducted in 2020, including 216,809 adults. Changes in daily life due to COVID-19 were assessed by asking participants to score their current situation compared to their pre-pandemic situation, ranging from 100 (no change) to 0 (complete cessation of daily activities). COVID-19 concerns were assessed with five questions: 1) fear of contracting the virus; 2) fear of mortality if infected; 3) fear of blame from others; 4) concerns about the health of vulnerable family members; and 5) concerns about economic impacts. Sleep disturbances were defined as sleeping 5 hours or less per night on average. Logistic regression analyses with a complex sample design were performed to examine the relationship between COVID-19-related factors and sleep disturbances, adjusting for socioeconomic and health-related variables.Results:A high level of lifestyle changes due to COVID-19 (OR = 1.15, 95% CI = 1.11–1.19) and high COVID-19 concerns (OR = 1.04, 95% CI = 1.01–1.08) were associated with an increased likelihood of sleep disturbances. Conversely, resting during COVID-19 symptoms (OR = 0.81, 95% CI = 0.76–0.87), having support during quarantine (OR = 0.93, 95% CI = 0.89–0.97), and trust in the government and neighbors (OR = 0.92, 95% CI = 0.89–0.96) were associated with a decreased likelihood of sleep disturbances.Conclusion:These findings suggest that sleep disturbances during the COVID-19 pandemic were mediated by lifestyle disruptions and high levels of concern. Social support and trust mitigated the impact of COVID-19-related risk factors. As part of preparedness, improving the environment to facilitate adequate rest during illness, ensuring strong social support, and fostering high levels of trust in the government and neighbors may be important to protect sleep health during future public health emergencies.

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Novembre 2024

Abstract 4141163: Blood Pressure in Adolescence and Stroke at a Young Age in 1.9 Million Males and Females

Circulation, Volume 150, Issue Suppl_1, Page A4141163-A4141163, November 12, 2024. Background:The rising incidence of stroke among young adults is partly explained by underdiagnosis of risk factors such as hypertension. Current blood pressure cutoff values for hypertension diagnosis in adolescence are not based on cardiovascular outcomes and lack specificity for sex, even though female adolescents have lower blood pressure values.Methods:A nationwide, population-based, retrospective cohort study including data of all Israeli adolescents (16-19 years) who were evaluated prior to mandatory military service in 1985 through 2013. The medical evaluation included routine measurements of height, weight, and blood pressure. The primary outcome was the first occurrence of a stroke at a young age (≤52 years) as documented in the National Stroke Registry. Cox proportional hazard models were applied separately for males and females and adjusted for adolescent body mass index and sociodemographic variables. Diabetes status in adulthood, as documented in the National Diabetes Registry, was also accounted. Several sensitivity analyses were conducted, including the evaluation of ischemic stroke cases only as the outcome and stroke occurrence at a very young age (≤45 years).Results:The cohort comprised 1,897,048 adolescents (42.4% females). During 11,355,476 person-years of follow-up, there were 1,470 first stroke events, 1,233 (83.8%) cases were of ischemic etiology. In male adolescents, a diastolic blood pressure of ≥80 mmHg was associated with an adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) for stroke at a young age of 1.28 (95% confidence interval 1.05-1.58) (Image 1). In male adolescents with blood pressure of 70-79 mmHg, the aHR was comparable to that of the reference group (

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Novembre 2024

Abstract 4144997: Pro-B-Type Natriuretic Peptide Kinetics across Pre-, Index, and Post-Acute COVID-19 in Hospitalized Acute on Chronic Heart Failure Patients: A Learning Health System Science Initiative

Circulation, Volume 150, Issue Suppl_1, Page A4144997-A4144997, November 12, 2024. Introduction:Myocardial injury in patients hospitalized with acute on chronic heart failure concurrent with index SARS-CoV-2 (CoV-2) infection is well described, though studies incorporating pre- and post-acute COVID-19 (PAC) are lacking. We address this gap by estimating intensity of acutely decompensated heart failure (ADHF) using time-series pro-BNP levels across hospitalizations pre- vs. respectively index and initial readmission (PAC1).Hypothesis:Case time series analysis will reveal association (p

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Novembre 2024

Abstract 4137878: Trends in Survival After Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest Across Community Demographics Since the COVID-19 Pandemic

Circulation, Volume 150, Issue Suppl_1, Page A4137878-A4137878, November 12, 2024. Background:The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 was marked by a sharp decrease in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) survival. Whether OHCA survival has recovered to pre-pandemic levels, and whether changes in OHCA survival are similar across communities of different racial and ethnic composition, is unknown.Methods:We included adult patients with non-traumatic OHCA from 2015-2022 in the Cardiac Arrest Registry to Enhance Survival registry. Using hierarchical multivariable regression, we calculated risk-adjusted rates of survival to hospital discharge during 2015-2019 (reference period) and compared this to survival rates during 2020, 2021, and 2022. We also examined whether the trajectory of survival over this period differed based on the racial/ethnic composition of the community served by the emergency medical service (EMS) agency, defined as predominantly White ( >80% White residents), majority Black or Hispanic ( >50% Black or Hispanic residents), or integrated (neither).Results:Of 485,079 patients with OHCA, mean age was 61.9 years; 64% were male, and 22% were of Black race with 7% of Hispanic ethnicity. Overall, risk-adjusted survival rates to hospital discharge for OHCA decreased from 10.1% in 2015-2019 to 8.4% in 2020 (P

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Novembre 2024

Abstract 4134935: Impact of COVID-19 on Cardiology Fellows and Faculty in the United States: Two Years Later

Circulation, Volume 150, Issue Suppl_1, Page A4134935-A4134935, November 12, 2024. Introduction:Recent data demonstrated that the COVID-19 pandemic adversely affected cardiovascular fellows in training (cFIT) and faculty in terms of educational disruption and search for job prospects, respectively. However, less is known about the pandemic’s effect on cFIT and faculty in terms of general well-being, shifts in personal and professional priorities, quantitative measures of stress levels, and research productivity.Methods:A national survey targeting cFIT and faculty was developed to assess the effect of the pandemic two years later on these parameters. Fifty-four participants, including 21 cFIT and 33 faculty, responded to the survey. The survey was distributed between October 2021 and May 2022 to program directors of ACGME-accredited general cardiology fellowship programs in the United States.Results:30% of cFITs perceived impaired clinical training during the pandemic; 36% of fellows experienced a decline in their clinical skills in the cardiac catheterization lab, while 27% experienced a decrease in their echocardiographic skills. Additionally, a significant percentage of cFIT reported negative interference in their competencies in nuclear cardiology (27%) and electrophysiology (12%). Most participants (76%), including faculty and fellows, reported several health issues such as sleep problems, low energy, changes in appetite, difficulty concentrating, and restlessness due to the pandemic. 43% of the faculty and 61% of cFIT reported high rates of impaired short-term productivity (Figure).Conclusion:In this national survey, we found that two years after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, cardiology fellows and faculty continued to experience significant concerns for decreased hands-on training and diminished research productivity. While faculty were not distressed regarding decreased clinical competencies, concerns about short-term and long-term research productivity persisted. Faculty and fellows all experienced increased stress levels and impaired productivity. Although limited by a small sample size, which can introduce bias, these results signal the importance of performing a follow-up study on the impact of COVID-19 on wellness as well as the impact on career.

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Novembre 2024

Abstract 4114220: Majority of Patients with New Ventricular Dysfunction After Acute COVID-19 Infection Did Not Have Cardiac Recovery

Circulation, Volume 150, Issue Suppl_1, Page A4114220-A4114220, November 12, 2024. Background:It is still not well understood whether cardiac injury observed during acute COVID-19 infection extends after recovery from the initial viral infection. The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence of left and right ventricular dysfunction in patients hospitalized with acute COVID-19 and evaluate for cardiac recovery.Methods:A multicenter, retrospective cohort study was conducted. Adult patients were identified by hospitalizations using ICD-10 code U07.1 from March 2020 to October 2021. Patients were included if they had: 1) acute COVID-19 infection confirmed by RT-PCR and 2) a transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE) performed during their hospitalization. Clinical and echocardiographic data were collected and analyzed. Longitudinal TTE parameters were obtained from follow-up studies performed after discharge.Results:A total of 750 patients (mean age 64.3 ± 15.3 years, 60.0% male) were included. The average time to follow-up TTE was 8.7± 7.4 months. 133 patients (17.7%) had new LV dysfunction seen on TTE (Figure 1). LV recovery (defined as normalization of LVEF or improvement of LVEF by >10% from baseline) was observed in 28 of 74 (37.8%) survivors. 9 of 26 patients (34.6%) who had a follow-up TTE

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Novembre 2024

Abstract 4140703: CXCL10 and IFN-γ Mediate Myocardial Injury Post-COVID-19 mRNA Vaccination

Circulation, Volume 150, Issue Suppl_1, Page A4140703-A4140703, November 12, 2024. Background:The mRNA vaccines against COVID-19 are highly effective but have been associated with a rare non-infective form of myocarditis, particularly in young males after receiving the second dose. Understanding the mediators of this adverse effect is crucial to enhance the safety of future mRNA vaccines.Hypothesis:Myocardial injury following COVID-19 mRNA vaccination is mediated by overproduced cytokines, and estrogens have a protective effect on this adverse effect.Approach:Candidate cytokine mediators were identified through analysis of proteomics data from plasma samples of vaccinated individuals. Human iPSC-derived macrophages and cardiomyocytes were used to model cytokine-induced effects. An in vivo mouse model of cytokine-induced myocardial injury was employed to assess the impact of the cytokine cocktail and estrogens.Results:CXCL10 and IFN-γ were consistently upregulated in vaccinated individuals on day 1 and further elevated in patients with myocarditis following mRNA vaccination. Consistently, iPSC-derived macrophages exposed to COVID-19 mRNA vaccines produced these cytokines. Next, iPSC-derived cardiomyocytes exposed to these cytokines showed impaired contractility, arrhythmogenicity, and pro-inflammatory gene expression. The phytoestrogen genistein mitigated these effects in vitro, reducing cytokine-induced proteasomal degradation of cardiac proteins and preserving contractile function. In vivo, genistein significantly decreased cardiac injury markers and immune cell infiltration in a mouse model of cytokine-induced myocardial injury.Conclusion:CXCL10 and IFN-γ are key mediators of myocardial injury post-mRNA vaccination. Genistein shows potential as a therapeutic agent to mitigate associated cardiovascular risks.

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Novembre 2024

Abstract 4143723: Thrombocytosis is Prevalent and Associated with Greater Inflammation and Coronary Artery Involvement in Both Kawasaki Disease and Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children Associated with COVID-19

Circulation, Volume 150, Issue Suppl_1, Page A4143723-A4143723, November 12, 2024. Introduction:Thrombocytosis, sometimes extreme, after acute Kawasaki disease (KD) is common and felt to be pathognomonic of this diagnosis, although has also been reported after multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C), a clinically similar condition. We sought to determine differences in factors associated with thrombocytosis for each condition.Methods:From 01/2020 to 10/2023 across 41 sites in 8 countries from the International KD Registry, 1674 MIS-C and 1290 contemporaneous KD patients with adequate laboratory data were included in the analysis. Age-related cutpoints (derived from the CALIPER Study of normal children/adolescents; AJCP 2020; 154:342) were applied to peak platelet counts to define thrombocytosis (age 647 x109/L; age 1 to 434; age 12 to 371). Associations of demographic, clinical, laboratory and outcome factors with thrombocytosis were determined for each diagnosis group.Results:Thrombocytosis was more prevalent after KD (57%) than MIS-C (49%; p

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Novembre 2024

Abstract Sa807: Spread of Chest Compression-Only CPR During the COVID-19 Pandemic Increased Pediatric Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest Mortality: A Nationwide, Retrospective, Observational Study

Circulation, Volume 150, Issue Suppl_1, Page ASa807-ASa807, November 12, 2024. Background:Despite the lack of evidence supporting the use of chest compression-only cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CO-CPR) emphasizing the importance of rescue breathing for pediatric out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA), prehospital CO-CPR is increasing. The COVID-19 pandemic may have led more bystanders to perform CO-CPR, even for pediatric OHCA. However, studies on the dissemination of CO-CPR and outcomes in pediatric OHCA are limited.Hypothesis:Spread of CO-CPR led to increased mortality in pediatric OHCA.Aims:Investigate the mortality of nationwide pediatric OHCA patients with the dissemination of CO-CPR pre- and post-COVID-19.Methods:We conducted a retrospective study using a Utstein-Style population cohort database (Japanese National Registry). Pediatric OHCA patients (≤17 years old) with bystander resuscitation attempts registered between the pre-COVID-19 era (2017-2019) and the post-COVID-19 era (2020-2021) were included. The primary outcome was 30-day mortality after OHCA. The secondary outcome was 30-day poor neurological outcomes, defined as Cerebral Performance Category scores of 3, 4, or 5. We used Poisson regression with robust variance to estimate adjusted risk ratio (aRR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) and the population attributable fraction (PAF, %) with a focus on the post-COVID-19 period.Results:A total of 3,352 pediatric OHCA, 2,023 pre-COVID-19, and 1,329 post-COVID-19 patients received bystander CPR and were registered in the database. CO-CPR was more common than CPR with rescue breathing (RB-CPR) during the pre- and post-COVID-19 periods [pre-COVID-19: 1,356 (67.0%) vs. 667 (33.0%), post-COVID-19: 1,048 (78.9%) vs. 281 (21.1%)]. Comparison of CO-CPR vs. RB-CPR showed increased 30-day mortality in both periods [pre-COVID-19: 1,081/1,356 (79.7%) vs. 420/667 (63.0%), post-COVID-19: 841/1,048 (80.2%) vs. 181/281 (64.4%)]. In the overall cohort, mortality increased with CO-CPR (aRR: 1.16, 95% CI: 1.09-1.23, PAF:1.60%). Due to the increased number of patients receiving CO-CPR, we estimated 21.2 excess deaths over the two-year post-COVID-19 period. Similar results were observed for poor neurological outcome (aRR: 1.10, 95% CI: 1.05-1.16, PAF: 1.10%, excess poor outcome: 14.6]).Conclusion:With the spread of CO-CPR for pediatric OHCA, an estimated 10.6 excess deaths per year attributed to CO-CPR may have occurred in the post-COVID-19 period compared to the pre-COVID-19 period in Japan.

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Novembre 2024

Abstract 4141859: Impacts of the COVID-19 era Practice of Preventing Bypass of the Emergency Department for ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction Patients Identified in the Field by Emergency Medical Services on In-Hospital Mortality and Other Performance Metrics

Circulation, Volume 150, Issue Suppl_1, Page A4141859-A4141859, November 12, 2024. Background:Field activation of patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) by Emergency Medical Services (EMS) during the COVID-19 (COVID) pandemic era involved a change in policy whereby patients underwent COVID-19 testing in the emergency department (ED) prior to Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI) versus bypassing the ED to the Catheterization (Cath) Lab.Research Question:We aimed to compare In-Hospital Mortality and other performance metrics of field activated STEMI patients at a large rural health system during the COVID era to pre and post pandemic periods.Methods:Retrospective single-center (Essentia Health, Duluth, MN, USA) cohort study of consecutive patients with STEMI activation identified in the field by EMS prior to the COVID era (5/27/2018–3/26/2020), during the 22 months of the COVID testing policy (3/27/2020–1/25/2022), and post-COVID when ED bypass resumed (1/ 26/2022–11/26/2023). The main outcomes of this study were in-hospital mortality and common STEMI system performance metrics.Results:A total of 373 consecutive field activated STEMI cases were included (pre COVID [N =132], COVID [N = 104], post COVID [N = 137]). Pre COVID, 40.9% of EMS activated STEMI cases stopped in the ED prior to the Cath Lab, 97.1% during the COVID era, and 51.1% in the post-COVID era (p

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Novembre 2024

Abstract 4127513: Cardiopulmonary long-term effects 6, 18 and 30 months after severe covid-19 infection

Circulation, Volume 150, Issue Suppl_1, Page A4127513-A4127513, November 12, 2024. Background:SARS-CoV-2 infection affects the cardiopulmonary system in both the acute and long-term phase. This study aimed to comprehensively assess symptoms and potential long-term impairments 6, 18 and 30 months in patients previously hospitalized for severe Covid-19 infection.Methods:This prospective registry included patients hospitalized for PCR-confirmed Covid-19 infection. Approximately 6 months post-discharge, follow-up examination included patient history, clinical examination, echocardiography, electrocardiogram, cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (cMRI), chest computed tomography (CT) scan, pulmonary function test (PFT), six-minute walk test (6MWT) and a comprehensive laboratory panel. Patients with pathologic findings during the first visit underwent a second (at 18 months) and third (at 30 months) follow-up examination. Those without pathologic findings or who refused further medical examinations were contacted via phone to inquire about symptoms.Results:Between July 2020 and April 2022, 200 patients (91% general ward, 9% intensive care unit) were recruited. Due to dropouts, the second visit was conducted in 170 patients, and the third visit in 139 (74 in person, 65 via telephone). Long Covid criteria were fulfilled by 73% at 6 months, 52% at 18 months and 49% at 30 months post-discharge, with fatigue being the most common symptom (Figure 1). Echocardiography at 6 months showed impaired left ventricular function in 15 patients, with normalization in 80% at 18 months and further 66% at 30 months (Figure 2). cMRI revealed pericardial effusions in 28 patients at 6 months, which resolved in 47% at 18 months and in further 60% at 30 months. Signs of peri- or myocarditis were present in 7 patients at 6 months and were resolved in all 4 patients who attended control studies at 18 months. Chest CT scans at 6 months identified post-infectious residues in 41 patients, with full recovery in 20% at 18 months without further normalization after 30 months.The length of in-hospital stay was identified as a significant predictor for persisting Long Covid 6 months after discharge (95% CI: 1.005 – 1.12, p=0.03).Conclusion:While the prevalence of Long Covid decreased over time, a significant symptom burden persisted at 6, 18 and even 30 months after severe Covid-19 infection. Structural and functional abnormalities were less frequent compared to reported symptoms, posing a challenge in substantiating the causes of these symptoms.

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Novembre 2024