COVID-19 survivors may exhibit deterioration in frontal plane QRS-T angle and other electrocardiogram parameters.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: COVID-19 infection is known to injure myocardial tissue and increase arrhythmic events. However, data on the subject is limited in the literature. In our study, our aim was to investigate possible arrhythmic damages in COVID-19 survivors using the frontal plane QRS-T [f(QRS)-T] angle and a few other ECG parameters. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 269 patients who recovered from COVID-19 between April 2020 and January 2021 were included into the study. Pre-admission electrocardiograms and first-month outpatient clinic control ECGs of the patients were compared. RESULTS: After COVID-19, left bundle branch block (p<0.001), right bundle branch block (p<0.001), right bundle branch block (p<0.001), and atrial fibrillation (p<0.001) rates had increased. Prolongation was detected in QRS duration (p<0.001), QT interval (p=0.014), adjusted QT interval (p=0.007) and Tpe interval (p=0.012). F(QRS)-T angle (p<0.001) and fragmented QRS rate (p<0.001) were increased. CONCLUSIONS: It was observed in our study that even if patients survived COVID-19, permanent deterioration in ECG parameters may occur.