Temporal Trend in Mortality from Covid-19 Associated with Cardiovascular Disease

Background Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) mortality remains high in those with cardiovascular disease (CVD). The temporal trend in higher COVID-19 mortality due to CVD has public health implications. We assessed the association between CVD and COVID-19 mortality throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods We retrospectively studied all patients who received care for COVID-19 at Rush University System for Health during the pandemic (divided into 7 waves based on predominant virus variants and vaccine rollouts). CVD was defined as congestive heart failure (CHF), myocardial infarction (MI), cerebrovascular or peripheral vascular disease (ascertained by ICD codes). Using multivariable logistic regression, we assessed independent associations of COVID-19 mortality with age, sex, race, and 17 comorbidities in the Charlson comorbidity index, overall and stratified by pandemic waves. Results Of 43876 patients (mean age 40, 56% female, 14% with CVD), 1032 (2%) died from COVID-19 between March 2020 and August 2022. Adjusted for covariables, mortality was 3.2 times as likely in those with CVD as those without (OR=3.2, 95%CI 2.7-3.9;p<0.001). There was a trend toward increasing mortality associated with co-existing CVD as pandemic progressed to later waves (where Delta and Omicron were predominant), particularly in those with CHF or MI (Figure). Conclusion We found that COVID-19 mortality associated with co-existing CVD (particularly CHF and MI) increased temporally throughout the pandemic. [Formula presented]Copyright © 2023 American College of Cardiology Foundation

Age-Stratified Sex Differences in COVID-19 Hospital Outcomes

Introduction: Sex differences in COVID-19 outcomes are well-known and have been ascribed to numerous factors including age-dependent sex hormones. We hypothesize that the protective effect of female sex in hospitalized COVID-19 patients attenuates with age. Method(s): We retrospectively analyzed patients who were hospitalized for COVID-19 infection at three hospitals of the Rush University System for Health (RUSH) (Chicago, IL) between March to December 2020. The primary endpoints were in-hospital mortality and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), defined as a composite of acute myocardial infarction, cardiac arrest, acute heart failure, and stroke. Stratified logistic regression was performed to estimate the odds ratios of these endpoints in male compared to female patients by age group (<45, 45-55, 55-65, 65-75, and >=75 years). Result(s): Of 1705 patients (age 58.1+/-16.9 years, 54.3% male, 24.6% White) who were hospitalized for COVID-19 infection, 179 (10.5%) patients experienced in-hospital mortality and 290 (17.0%) patients experienced MACE, respectively. The incidence of these outcomes progressively increased with age in both sexes. In patients <45 years of age, there was a trend towards increased risk for inhospital mortality (aOR 4.47;95% CI: 0.54 - 42.38) and MACE (aOR 2.43;95% CI: 0.97 - 6.10) in men compared to women. However, this trend attenuated with increasing age strata and there was a slight decrease in risk for in-hospital mortality (aOR 0.79;95% CI: 0.39 - 1.58) and MACE (aOR 0.70;95% CI: 0.38 - 1.28) among middle-aged (55-65 years of age) men compared to women. Conclusion(s): In this multi-hospital registry of COVID-19 patients, there was a reverse J-shaped trend in odds of in-hospital mortality and MACE in men compared to women. Female sex appeared to be an independent protective factor for adverse hospital outcomes among patients <55 years of age but not among older patients, suggesting a protective role of premenopausal sex hormones.

IDF21-0311 Pre-Admission, Diabetic Glycemic Control on 60-Day Mortality and Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events from COVID-19

Background: Patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) are at increased risk for intubation, death, and other complications from COVID-19. However, the importance of a patient’s glycemic control preceding the COVID-19 infection is less well understood. Method: From March to November 2020, data from adult patients with confirmed COVID-19 admitted to Rush University System for Health (RUSH) was studied. Patients with both a pre-existing history of diabetes mellitus (DM) and a hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) measurement during their hospitalization were included. Based on their HbA1c, patients were then divided into 4 groups: adequate glycemic control (≤ 6.5), mild elevation (6.5 – 7.4), intermediate elevation (7.5 – 8.4), and severe elevation (≥ 8.5). Multivariable logistic regression, adjusted for age, body mass index, and pre-existing history of atrial fibrillation, coronary artery disease, hypertension, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder, was performed with glycemic control group as a predictor for 60-day mortality and severe COVID-19, which was a composite of 60-day mortality or requiring the intensive care unit, non-invasive positive pressure ventilation, or mechanical ventilation. Major adverse cardiac events (MACE) were defined as nonfatal myocardial injury, nonfatal stroke, or cardiovascular death. Results: Of the 1682 patients admitted, 774 had pre-existing DM, and 534 had HbA1c measurement during their hospitalization. The median HbA1c value was 8.0% (interquartile range 6.6% – 9.9%). In our entire cohort, 75 (14.0%) and 280 (52.4%) patients suffered 60-day mortality and severe COVID-19 infection, respectively. When adjusting for baseline characteristics and comorbidities, patients with mild (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 2.39 [CI 1.04 – 5.83];p < 0.05) and intermediate (aOR 3.59 [CI 1.49 – 9.12];p < 0.01) HbA1c elevation were at increased risk of 60-day mortality compared to those with adequate glycemic control;no statistically significant difference was present in those with severe elevation (aOR 2.19 [CI 0.95 – 5.44];p = 0.08). Furthermore, only the mild HbA1c elevation group was at increased risk for severe COVID-19 infection (aOR 1.88 [CI 1.06 – 3.38];p < 0.05). Those with intermediate (aOR 1.77 [CI 0.94 – 3.33];p = 0.08) or severe (aOR 1.57 [CI 0.92 – 2.70];p = 0.10) HbA1c elevation were not at higher risk for severe COVID-19 infection. When comparing other 60-day outcomes, there was no difference between the glycemic groups in MACE, life-threatening arrhythmia, deep venous thrombosis, acute renal failure requiring renal replacement therapy, and pulmonary embolism (Table 1). Discussion: In our cohort, patients with DM with an HbA1c of 6.5 – 8.4 were at increased risk of 60-day mortality, while those with an HbA1c of 6.5 – 7.4 were at an increased risk of severe COVID-19 infection.

ASSOCIATION BETWEEN IN-HOSPITAL MORTALITY AND ACE/ARB INHIBITOR USAGE

Background: The use of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEi) and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARB) in COVID-19 patients has been controversial given the role of the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 receptor as a cellular infiltration point for the virus. Methods: Since March of 2020, data was obtained from adult patients with COVID-19 admitted to Rush University Systems for Health through automatic extraction from the electronic medical record. We looked for other factors that were associated with mortality. All variables in Figure 1 were included in a single multivariable logistic regression model with in-hospital mortality as the primary outcome. Results: Of the 3863 patients in the cohort, 1290 (33.4%) were on an ACEi/ARB during their admission. When adjusted for the other variables in Figure 1, in-hospital ACEi/ARB usage was associated with decreased risk of mortality (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 0.52 [CI 0.38 - 0.73];p < 0.001) compared to those not taking them. In the same model, oral anticoagulation (aOR 0.25 [CI 0.17 - 0.37];p < 0.001) was also found to be protective against in-hospital mortality. Increased BMI, male sex, initial high respiratory rate, history of atrial fibrillation and valve disease increased the risk of in-hospital mortality. Conclusion: Consistent with previous findings certain factors increase mortality, but in-hospital use of ACEi/ARBs and anticoagulation were independently associated with decreased mortality during COVID-19 hospitalization. [Formula presented]

Vasopressor use and 60-day outcomes among covid-19 patients in the intensive care unit

Introduction: Vasopressor use has been associated with higher mortality rates in patients with COVID-19, the association between the maximum number of concurrent vasopressors with mortality has not yet been studied. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted on patients admitted with COVID-19 to the intensive care unit (ICU) at Rush University System for Health in Illinois between March and October 2020. Multivariable logistic regression, adjusted for age, BMI, history of CAD and diabetes, was used to determine if an increasing number of vasopressors is associated with higher 60-day mortality. Results: A total of 637 patients met the inclusion criteria. Composite 60-day mortality was 28.6%. Of the 637 patients who met inclusion criteria, 338 (53.1%) required the support of at least one vasopressor. When compared to patients with no vasopressor requirement, those who required 1 (adjusted OR [aOR] 3.27, p<0.01), 2 (aOR 4.71, p<0.01), 3 (aOR 26.2, p<0.01), and 4 or 5 (aOR 106.38, p<0.01) vasopressor(s) were at increased risk of 60-day mortality (Figure 1). Additionally, the incidence of mechanical ventilation, venous thromboembolism, ventricular arrhythmia, and new renal replacement therapy increased with additional vasopressor requirement (p < 0.001 for each outcome;Table 1). There was no statistical difference in the incidence of MACE between the groups (p = 0.139). Conclusion: In this cohort, each additional vasopressor added was associated with escalating 60-day mortality. Identifying these high-risk patients can help determine prognostic outcomes and guide decision-making.

Women’s health in Serbia – past, present, and future

Cardiovascular and reproductive health of women have been going hand in hand since the dawn of time, however, their links have been poorly studied and once the basis of their connections started to be established in late 20th century, it depended on local regional abilities and the level of progressive thinking to afford comprehensive women’s care beyond the “bikini medicine”. Further research identified different associations rendering more conditions sex-specific and launching therefore a slow, yet initial turn around in clinical trials’ concept as the majority of global cardiovascular guidelines rely on the results of research conducted on a very modest percentage of women and even less on the women of color. Currently, the concept of women’s heart centers varies depending on the local demographics’ guided needs, available logistics driven by budgeting and societal support of a broad-minded thinking environment, free of bias for everyone: from young adults questioning their gender identity, via women of reproductive age both struggling to conceive or keep working part time when healthy and line of work permits it during pregnancy, up to aging and the elderly. Using “Investigate-Educate-Advocate-Legislate” as the four pillars of advancing cardiovascular care of women, we aimed to sum-marize standing of women’s health in Serbia, present ongoing projects and propose actionable solutions for the future. © 2021, Serbia Medical Society. All rights reserved.

In-hospital predictors of 60-day readmission in COVID-19 patients

Introduction: Preventing hospital readmissions can improve a patient's quality of life and decrease healthcare costs. While prior work has focused on pre-existing comorbidities to predict COVID-19 readmissions, the prognostic role of in-hospital data and complications has been less studied. Methods: Data was collected on adult patients diagnosed with COVID-19 and admitted to a multicenter hospital system in Illinois between March and November 2020. Our cohort consisted of COVID-19 hospitalization survivors excluding those discharged to hospice care. Major adverse events (MAEs) were defined as venous thromboembolism (VTE), myocardial injury (troponin greater than upper limit of normal), stroke, new requirement for renal replacement therapy (RRT), life-threatening arrhythmia, or acute heart failure exacerbation. The primary outcome was readmission within 60 days of initial hospitalization. Results: From the 1406 survivors of the index hospitalization, 223 (15.9%) patients were readmitted within 60 days. Those readmitted were older and more likely to have underlying comorbidities including atrial fibrillation, coronary artery disease, and hypertension (Table 1). Length of stay between the readmission and non-readmission groups was trending towards statistical significance (10.52 days vs 8.95 days, p=0.053). Those with one or more MAE during their index hospitalization, when adjusted for age and body mass index, were at an increased risk of readmission (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.90, p<0.01). Readmitted patients were more likely to have VTE during their index hospitalization than those not readmitted (7.2% vs 3.7%, p<0.05). The incidence of new RRT (4.9% vs 2.5%, p=0.083) and myocardial injury (3.6% vs 1.5%, p=0.067) between the groups was also trending towards statistical significance (Table 1). No statistical difference was present between the other individual MAEs;however, this is limited by small sample sizes of certain MAEs. Of the 322 patients with echocardiography during the index admission, 82 (25.5%) were readmitted. In this cohort, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) that was reduced (LVEF <50%) or hyperdynamic (LVEF >65%) was not a statistically significant predictor of readmission (Figure 1). Lastly, discharge disposition was predictive of readmission as those being sent to acute rehab (OR 2.04, p<0.01), long-term acute care (OR 2.58, p<0.01), or skilled nursing facility (OR 2.67, p<0.001) were at higher risk compared to those who were discharged to home (Figure 1). Conclusion: In this cohort, the occurrence of any MAE during index COVID-19 hospitalization, particularly VTE, RRT, and myocardial injury, can be used to predict 60-day readmission. Furthermore, discharge disposition, but not LVEF, demonstrated prognostic value in our cohort. Identifying high risk patients prior to discharge helps health care providers focus resources on patients most likely to be readmitted.

Soluble urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR) is associated with risk for thromboembolic complications and mortality in patients with COVID-19

Background/Introduction: The high prevalence of thromboembolism in patients with COVID-19 causes significant morbidity and mortality. The soluble urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR), a known inflammatory and immune mediator in several renal and cardiovascular conditions, has recently been shown to correlate with acute kidney injury and severe respiratory failure in COVID-19. To date, no study has investigated the association between suPAR and thromboembolism in COVID-19. Purpose: To evaluate associations between suPAR, thromboembolic complications, and mortality in COVID-19. Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of a random sample of 109 patients among those hospitalised at a tertiary medical centre comprising three hospitals between March and June 2020 for COVID-19 who had blood samples collected and stored on admission. Serum suPAR was measured using a commercially available enzyme immunoassay. Baseline (hospital admission) variables extracted from electronic medical records included age, sex, race/ethnicity, body mass index (BMI), history of cardiovascular disease (including deep venous thrombosis [DVT] and pulmonary embolism [PE]), serum creatinine, serum D-dimer, incident DVT/PE, and death during hospitalization. Patients were subsequently grouped by su- PAR quartiles. Associations between suPAR, thromboembolic complications (PE and/or DVT), and overall mortality were evaluated using multivariable logistic regression. Results: Among the 109 patients, mean age was 56 (standard deviation [SD], 16) years, 34 (39%) were women, mean BMI was 35 (SD, 8) kg/m2, 78 (71%) had coexisting cardiovascular disease, median creatinine level was 1.2 (interquartile range [IQR]: 0.8-2.3) mg/dl, median D-dimer level was 1.5 (IQR, 0.8-6.4) μg/ml, and median suPAR level was 10.1 (IQR: 4.1-14.4) pg/mL. Seven (6%) patients were found to have PE, 18 (17%) developed PE/DVT, and 22 (20%) died during the admission (Table). Per quartile higher suPAR level, there was higher risk for PE or DVT (OR=2.02, 95% CI 1.07-3.83, p=0.03). Compared to those in the lowest suPAR quartile, patients in the highest quartile had 11.1 times higher risk for PE/DVT (OR=11.1, 95% CI 1.51-81.8, p=0.02, Figure). SuPAR is also associated with overall mortality, with 2.25 times higher risk of death seen per quartile increase in suPAR level (OR= 2.25, 95% CI 1.24-4.06, p=0.007). Conclusion: Higher suPAR levels at the time of hospital admission is associated with higher risk for thromboembolic complications i.e., PE and DVT, as well as mortality in patients with COVID-19.

Cardiac arrest in patients hospitalized for COVID-19: A tertiary medical center retrospective cohort study

Background/Introduction: Patients with COVID-19 are at increased risk for mortality during hospitalization. Better definition of the incidence, predictors, and outcomes of cardiac arrest during hospitalization for COVID-19 may support early identification and intervention. Purpose: To estimate the incidence of in-hospital cardiac arrest in patients with COVID-19, describe the temporal trends in incidence of and survival after cardiac arrest, summarise characteristics of those who experienced a cardiac arrest, and compare the characteristics of survivors versus nonsurvivors of cardiac arrest. Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of patients admitted for COVID-19 to a tertiary medical center comprising three hospitals between March and November 2020. Data entry is ongoing for more than 2000 patients admitted through 2021. Clinical variables extracted via review of electronic medical records included age, sex, race/ethnicity, body mass index, history of cardiovascular disease (ie., coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure, atrial fibrillation, or cerebrovascular event), other comorbidities included in the Charlson comorbidity index, date of admission, duration of hospitalization, all cardiac arrest events during hospitalization, presenting rhythm during first cardiac arrest, and death. Data were described using summary statistics. Multivariable logistic regression was used to evaluate associations. Results: Among 1666 patients, 107 (6.4%) experienced at least one inhospital cardiac arrest event during hospitalization for COVID-19, of which 25 (23%) survived to hospital discharge. From March to October 2020, there was a decrease in estimated cardiac arrest incidence in-hospital from 8.2% to 3%, whereas estimated survival to hospital discharge after an arrest remained similar at approximately 20% (Figure). Compared to those who did not, patients who experienced in-hospital cardiac arrest were older and more likely to have existing cardiovascular disease, as well as other comorbidities. Similar factors were associated with lower chance of survival after cardiac arrest (Table). Patients with pulseless ventricular tachycardia/ fibrillation (VT/VF) as presenting rhythm in cardiac arrest had better survival to hospital discharge compared to those with other rhythms (OR 3.3, p=0.02). Younger age (per 10 years, OR=0.7, p=0.03) and fewer comorbidities (per one fewer comorbidity, OR=1.5, p=0.05) were associated with better survival after cardiac arrest in multivariable logistic regression. Conclusion: There was a decline in estimated incidence of cardiac arrest during hospitalization for COVID-19 since beginning of pandemic, with survival to hospital discharge after cardiac arrest estimated to be stable at around 20%. Younger age and fewer comorbidities especially cardiovascular disease were associated with better survival after an in-hospital cardiac arrest. (Figure Presented).

Virtual training of CNAs as essential dementiacare personnel in the Age of COVID-19

Objective: This project applies a virtual reality (VR) based curriculum to train certified nursing assistants (CNAs) about the realities of living with dementia. The VR vignette portrays a Latinx woman, Beatriz, through progressive stages of Alzheimer's disease, giving the CNA an immersive first-person dementia experience. Background: Long-term care facilities account for nearly 43% of US COVID-19 deaths. More than 50% of CNAs are racial minorities and over 90% are women. While all CNAs face risks, preexisting inequities for workers of color place them at higher risk for work-related burnout and COVID-19 infection. Despite providing the majority of direct care, CNAs are amongst the most under-resourced and under-trained frontline workers. Given their essentiality, it is critical to support and enable CNAs during the COVID-19 pandemic. Design/Methods: Chicago Methodist Senior Services (CMSS) CNAs were recruited (N=8, 88% female, 88% Black or African American) and engaged in a seven-week training program, spending 1.5 hours in an online class per week. Each class included a didactic lecture, a virtual reality module from Embodied Labs depicting a first person experience of dementia, and a recorded focus group. CNAs completed the UCLA Geriatric Attitudes Scale, Interpersonal Reactivity Index surveys, and a COVID-19 Impact questionnaire. Formal qualitative content analysis and quantitative statistics on change in dementia knowledge scores, ageist attitudes, cognitive experience, and sensory impression of the activity are pending. Results: CNA feedback indicated that they gained increased confidence and understanding in caring for PWD. Focus groups and discussions allowed the CNAs to talk about changes in resident behavior and support one another through a virtual platform while working in a global pandemic. Conclusions: Combining traditional didactic lectures with VR-based curriculum provided CNAs with both foundational knowledge and first-person perspective in caring for PWD. Participants reported greater levels of insight and empathy while working with their residents, citing the immersive VR curriculum.