Ventricular Repolarization Parameters In Hospitalized Patients With COVID-19

Ventricular Repolarization Parameters in Hospitalized Patients with COVID-19Objective: Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) may cause atrial and/or ventricular arrhythmias and sudden cardiac deaths, especially in severe cases.In this study, we aimed to investigate whether COVID-19 affects the ventricular repolarization parameters. Materials and Methods:In this study, 152 hospitalized patients with COVID-19 were included retrospectively.Age and sex-matched 151 healthy subjects were assigned as the control group.QT, QTc, Tpe, Tpe/QT, and Tpe/QTc values of all participants were determined and compared between both groups.The relationship between high sensitive-troponin I (hsTnI) and the parameters mentioned was analyzed using the Spearman correlation test.Results: Mean age, male gender and comorbidity rates were similar in both groups (p>0.05 for each).Heart rate, QTc, Tpe, Tpe/QT, and Tpe/QTc values were higher in the study group (p<0.001 for each).However, QT and QRS values were comparable in both groups (p>0.05 for each).There were positive correlations between hsTnI and QT (rho=0.218,p=0.008),QTc (rho=0.308,p<0.001),Tpe (rho=0.646,p<0.001),Tpe/QT (rho=0.571,p<0.001), and Tpe/QTc (rho=0.608,p<0.001). Conclusion:In patients with COVID-19, QTc, Tpe, Tpe/QT, and Tpe/QTc values are higher than the control group and these parameters correlate positively with hsTnI.Therefore, ECG follow-up may be beneficial in preventing arrhythmic events, especially in patients with acute cardiac injuries.