[Consensus Report from Turkish Society of Cardiology: COVID-19 and Cardiovascular Diseases. What cardiologists should know. (25th March 2020)]. / Türk Kardiyoloji Dernegi Uzlasi Raporu: COVID-19 Pandemisi ve Kardiyovasküler Hastaliklar Konusunda Bilinmesi Gerekenler (25 Mart 2020).

In December 2019, in the city of Wuhan, in the Hubei province of China, treatment-resistant cases of pneumonia emerged and spread rapidly for reasons unknown. A new strain of coronavirus (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 [SARS-CoV-2]) was identified and caused the first pandemic of the 21st century. The virus was officially detected in our country on March 11, 2020, and the number of cases increased rapidly; the virus was isolated in 670 patients within 10 days. The rapid increase in the number of patients has required our physicians to learn to protect both the public and themselves when treating patients with this highly infectious disease. The group most affected by the outbreak and with the highest mortality rate is elderly patients with known cardiovascular disease. Therefore, it is necessary for cardiology specialists to take an active role in combating the epidemic. The aim of this article is to make a brief assessment of current information regarding the management of cardiovascular patients affected by COVID-19 and to provide practical suggestions to cardiology specialists about problems and questions they have frequently encountered.

[Turkish Cardiology Association Consensus Report: COVID-19 Pandemic and Cardiovascular Diseases (May 13, 2020)]. / Türk Kardiyoloji Dernegi Uzlasi Raporu: COVID-19 Pandemisi ve Kardiyovasküler Hastaliklar Konusunda Bilinmesi Gerekenler (13 Mayis 2020).

In December 2019, in the city of Wuhan, in the Hubei province of China, treatment-resistant cases of pneumonia emerged and spread rapidly for reasons unknown. A new strain of coronavirus (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 [SARS-CoV-2]) was identified and caused the first pandemic of the 21st century. The virus was officially detected in our country on March 11, 2020, and the number of cases increased rapidly; the virus was isolated in 670 patients within 10 days. The rapid increase in the number of patients has required our physicians to learn to protect both the public and themselves when treating patients with this highly infectious disease. The group most affected by the outbreak and with the highest mortality rate is elderly patients with known cardiovascular disease. Therefore, it is necessary for cardiology specialists to take an active role in combating the epidemic. The aim of this article is to make a brief assessment of current information regarding the management of cardiovascular patients affected by COVID-19 and to provide practical suggestions to cardiology specialists about problems and questions they have frequently encountered.

Prognostic value of D-dimer/fibrinogen ratio on in-hospital outcomes of patients with heart failure and COVID-19.

Aim: In the present study, the relationship between D-dimer/fibrinogen ratio (DFR) and in-hospital outcomes was evaluated in patients with COVID-19 and a diagnosis of heart failure (HF). Materials & methods: In-hospital outcomes were compared in patients with high and low DFR values. Results: With regard to in-hospital outcomes, patients in the third tertile of DFR had a higher rate of mechanical ventilation, cardiogenic shock and death (p < 0.001). The length of ICU stay was longer in the third tertile group (p < 0.001). When evaluated together with infection markers, DFR was found to be an independent predictor of outcomes. Conclusion: DFR can be used as a prognostic marker in patients with COVID-19 with a diagnosis of HF, and perhaps more valuable than other infection markers.

Clinical characteristics and in-hospital outcomes of COVID-19 patients with history of heart failure: a propensity score-matched study.

BACKGROUND: Data on the clinical course and outcomes of COVID-19 disease among patients with a history of heart failure (HF) are scarce. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the clinical characteristics, prognostic biomarkers and in-hospital outcomes of patients with a history of HF hospitalised with confirmed COVID-19. METHODS: A total of 8321 consecutive patients hospitalised with suspected COVID-19 disease were screened. Furthermore, 3849 patients with laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection were included in the study. Two hundred and forty COVID-19 patients with a history of HF and 240 without HF paired with PSM were evaluated. RESULTS: Mean age was 72.7 ± 9.90 years, and 64.6% were men. Oxygen saturation, systolic and diastolic blood pressure at admission were significantly lower and heart rate was significantly higher in patients with a history of HF compared to those without. Patients with HF, compared to those without, had significantly higher leukocyte count, D-dimer, CRP, procalcitonin, hsTnI, lactate and lower albumin and lymphocyte. Compared with patients without HF, those with previous HF had a longer length of stay at ICU (6.22 d vs. 3.71 d; p < 0.001), increased risk of mechanical ventilation (42.1% vs. 15.4%; p < 0.001), in-hospital death (39.2% vs. 15.4%; p < 0.001) and composite outcomes (52.9% vs. 17.1%; p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: History of HF is associated with a higher risk of mechanical ventilation, cardiogenic shock, mortality and longer ICU stay in patients hospitalised for COVID-19, therefore the diagnosis of HF alone is important for predicting clinical outcomes.