“Long COVID” and cardiovascular involvement: a multicenter prospective study

ABSTRACT

Background and Aim: High percentage of patients who had COVID- 19 are still symptomatic after several months post infection, but the long-term outcomes are not yet well known. The long-term outcomes and, in particular, the cardiac sequelae of COVID-19 are not completely known. Aim of this study was to provide new insights into cardiovascular dysfunction in “long Covid” patients. Materials and Methods: In this multicenter prospective study, subjects were collected from “long Covid” ambulatories from june 2021 to august 2021. Evaluation comprehended a blood sample, ECG, cardiac US, 24-h BP monitoring at baseline and after three months. Primary endpoint was to estimate the prevalence of cardiac involvement in these subjects and define their clinical prognosis. Results: 215 “Long Covid” patients were enrolled (120 F, 95 M, mean age 58,9±6,7). Control group was composed of patients without diagnosis of LONG COVID, with no significant differences of age, sex, comorbidities and drugs (130 subjects, 77 F, 53 M, mean age 54,7±7,8). Cardiac involvement was found in 12,3% in “long Covid” group at the baseline, 9,9% at 3rd month. Significant differences were showed in CRP and ADMA values, left ventricular global longitudinal strain, BP and HR variability. A “non-dipping” blood pressure pattern was found in almost 25,7% in the “long Covid” group at the baseline and in 19,8% at the 3rd month. Conclusions: “Long covid” subjects seems to show a cardiovascular involvement more than other COVID-19 patients. Further studies will be needed to define the duration of these signs and early preventive interventions.