ABSTRACT
Introduction: Subclinical cardiovascular involvement in COVID-19 patients has not been well described. 2D-Speckle Tracking Echocardiography derived global longitudinal strain (GLS) and systolic and early diastolic strain rate (SRs, SRe) measurements are more sensitive than standard echocardiographic parameters to diagnose subclinical mechanical dysfunction in patients with normal Left Ventricle Ejection Fraction (LVEF). Hypothesis: Evaluate subclinical myocardial mechanical function and reserve in active COVID-19 systemic disease patients with normal LVEF vs controls and between survivors and non survivors of COVID-19 in the longitudinal domain of contractility. Methods &Results: 166 adult patients with active COVID 19 having normal LVEF were included and compared to 89 healthy volunteers. Baseline parameters were recorded. Peak GLS, SRs and SRe, were measured offline. Mean age was 62.53 ± 18.96 years and 87 (52%) were males and Mean LVEF was 62±5%. COVID-19 patients had higher GLS compared to controls (-20.93%±0.30 vs. -18.48%±0.40;p value <0.0001), SRs was similar (-0.97 s-1±0.10 vs. -0.98 s-1±0.02, p value 0.2528) and SRe was lower (0.85 s-1±0.0 vs. 1.05 s-1±0.02;p value <0.0001) respectively. After adjusting for age and sex, GLS, SRs and SRe was significant (p<0.001). GLS, SRs and SRe were similar in survivors vs. non survivors (p NS), both groups had elevated biomarkers (cardiac troponin, NT-pro BNP, CRP), but non survivors had higher levels (3.22±0.18 vs 3.62±0.28, p = 0.2371, 5.86±0.19 vs 7.15±0.27, p = 0.0004, 3.75±0.14 vs 4.31±0.21, p = 0.0422, 7.64±0.17 vs 8.26±0.25, p=0.0487 respectively) (Table 1). Conclusions: In our cohort, COVID-19 patients had better systolic reserve and abnormal relaxation compared to controls. There was no significant difference in strain (GLS) and strain rate (SRs &SRe) amongst survivors and non survivors in the longitudinal domain of contractility despite of higher inflammatory biomarkers in non-survivors.