Conduction System Disease and Atrioventricular Block in Victims of COVID-19 in Iran (preprint)

ABSTRACT

Background: More recently, a growing body of literature on COVID-19 has investigated the electrophysiological issues presetting as a disease manifestation of COVID-19 and highlight the spectrum of arrhythmias observed in patients with COVID-19 infection. This Study discuss the prevalence of arrhythmias and conduction system disease in patients with COVID-19. Method electrocardiographic data and comorbidity data of 432 expired COVID-19 patients admitted to Faghihi Hospital of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences from August 1st until December 1st were reviewed. Results AVB was found in 40(9.3%) patients. 28(6.5%) of the patients suffered from 1st degree AVB, and 12(2.8%) suffered from CHB. Changes in ST-T wave compatible with myocardial infarction or localized myocarditis appeared in 189(59.0%) patients. Findings compatible with myocardial injury such as fragmented QRS, and prolonged QTc were assessed with prevalence of 21.1% (91 patients), 6.5% (28 patients). In victims of COVID-19, conduction disease was not related to any underlying medical condition. Fragmented QRS, axis deviation, presence of S1Q3T3 and poor R wave progression were significantly related to conduction system disease in victims of COVID-19 (P value > 0.05, Table 3) Conclusion Our findings can serve in future studies that aim to develop a risk stratification method for susceptible COVID-19 patients. Myocardial injury appears to role significantly in COVID-19 morbidity and mortality. Consequently, we recommend health policymakers to consider separate catheterization laboratories that provide service only to COVID-19 patients.