Evaluation of cardiology consultations during the COVID-19 pandemic period

In this study, we scientifically examined the consultations of the patients being hospitalized from the other departments to the cardiology department during Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemia. Consultations to the cardiology department between 01 April-31 May 2020 and 01 April-31 May 2019 were discussed. Demographic characteristics and reasons of consultations were compared. A different approach was f ollowed in COVID-19 patients diagnosed with compared to patients in other clinics. The rate of consulted patients in 2019 year was 14.4% (866/5989). Its rate in 2020 year was found as 18.5% (462/2486) (p: <0.001). A statistically significant difference was obtained in both groups. The use of drugs prolonging the Qt, preoperative and increase in cardiac enzymes were found statistically significant in terms of the consultations (p: <0.001-<0.001-0.003-0.016, respectively). Face to face interviews were made in 29% (33/114) of the patients who were consulted from COVÍD-19 clinics. In 71% (81/114) patients, electrocardiography (ECG) s were evaluated digitally. In this study, although there was a decrease in the number of hospitalized patients during the COVÍD-19 pandemia, we observed an increase in the number of patients being consulted to cardiology clinic. The relationship between COVÍD-19 disease and cardiovascular diseases and drugs being used in the treatment increased the workload of the cardiology clinic during the pandemic period.

Is there a relation between computed tomography findings and electrocardiography findings in COVID-19?

OBJECTIVE: COVID-19 can cause lung damage and may present with pneumonia in patients. In the present study, the correlation between the severity of pneumonia and electrocardiography parameters of COVID-19 were examined. METHODS: A total of 93 COVID-19 patients and a control group consisting of 62 volunteers were studied. Computed thorax tomography evaluation was performed;each lung was divided into three zones. For each affected zone, scores were given. The main computed thorax tomography patterns were described in line with the terms defined by the Fleischner Society and peer reviewed literature on viral pneumonia. We compared Computed thorax tomography of patients with corrected QT (QTc) and P wave dispersion (Pd) time. RESULTS: There is a significant difference between the patient and control groups in terms of QTc values (413.5+/-28.8 msec vs. 395.6+/-16.7 msec p<0.001). Likewise, the Pd value of the patient group is statistically significantly higher than that of the control group (50.0+/-9.6 ms computed thorax tomography ec vs. 41.3+/-5.8 msec p<0.001). In the patient group, a reverse correlation was detected between computed thorax tomography score and Pd value according to partial correlation coefficient analysis (correlation coefficient: -0.232, p=0.027). In the patient group, the correlation between computed thorax tomography score and QTc value was similarly determined according to partial correlation coefficient analysis (Correlation coefficient:0.224, p=0.017). CONCLUSIONS: COVID-19 prolongs QTc and P wave dispersion values;and as the severity of pneumonia increases, QTc value increases. However, whereas the severity of pneumonia increases, P wave dispersion value decreases.