Are Pre‐Hospitalization ECG Abnormalities Associated With Increased Mortality in COVID‐19 Patients? A Quantitative Systematic Literature Review

BACKGROUND: While COVID-19 is predominantly a respiratory disease, cardiovascular complications occur and are associated with worse outcomes. Electrocardiogram (ECG) abnormalities are frequently observed in hospitalized COVID-19 patients, some of which are associated with increased mortality. It is unclear whether ECG abnormalities occurring before hospitalization are associated with increased mortality. This quantitative systematic literature review aims to determine which ECG changes occurring before hospitalization are associated with mortality and discuss whether these findings can aid the assessment of patients and decision-making in the pre-hospital environment. METHODS: A systematic search of the following digital databases was conducted: CINAL, PUBMED, MEDLINE, and Coronavirus Research Database. Eight cohort studies (primary papers) including COVID-19 patients with ECGs taken in the Emergency Department before hospitalization were selected for quantitative synthesis and results were obtained for the prevalence of ECG changes among survivors compared with non-survivors. Odds and hazard ratios for ECG abnormalities associated with mortality were also collected and compared. RESULTS: Identification of ECG abnormalities on pre-hospitalization ECG is associated with increased mortality in COVID-19 patients. These ECG abnormalities include non-sinus rhythm, QTc prolongation, left bundle branch block, axis deviation, atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter, right ventricular strain patterns, ST segment changes, T wave abnormalities, and evidence of left ventricular hypertrophy. CONCLUSION: Electrocardiogram assessment in the pre-hospital environment may be beneficial when assessing COVID-19 patients and could help identify patients at increased risk of mortality.