Key result
Prior COVID-19 in ACS is linked to ~12 percentage points lower diabetes prevalence.
Why the study?
The impact of COVID-19 infection on risk factors for acute coronary syndrome and atherosclerotic plaque instability was not well characterized during the first wave of the pandemic.
Observational (n=515)
No
Absolute Event Rate: 32.7% vs 44.3%
p-value: p=<0.001
The systemic inflammatory process associated with COVID-19 may represent an independent factor increasing the risk of acute coronary syndrome, even in patients with a lower traditional baseline cardiovascular risk profile.
Lower traditional risk factor burden in post-COVID ACS; leaves open inflammation-driven mechanisms independent of diabetes or smoking.
The first registered case of COVID-19 in Bulgaria was reported on March 8, 2020. Following the initial manifestation of pulmonary disease and the declaration of an epidemic emergency situation, admissions of patients with cardiovascular diseases (CVD) were significantly reduced. During the period of the COVID-19 pandemic, an increased incidence of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) was observed among patients with newly diagnosed or recently recovered COVID-19 infection. Evidence emerged in the international literature regarding the influence of SARS-CoV-2 on ACE2 receptors and the induction of a systemic inflammatory process in the body. Considering the current concept of atherosclerosis and the role of inflammatory and anti-inflammatory factors, researchers focused their attention on the impact of COVID-19 on atherosclerotic plaque instability and the accelerated progression of ACS. In our follow-up study, the major risk factors for the development of ACS were investigated among patients hospitalized in the Department of Cardiology at University Hospital "Dr Georgi Stranski", Pleven, Bulgaria. Based on the analysis of the obtained results, a risk stratification model for patients with ACS and COVID-19 infection was developed.
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Popov et al. (2026) conducted an observational in Acute Coronary Syndrome (n=515). History of active or previous COVID-19 infection vs. No history of COVID-19 infection was evaluated on Prevalence of diabetes mellitus (p=<0.001). Patients with acute coronary syndrome and a history of COVID-19 had significantly lower rates of diabetes mellitus (32.7% vs 44.3%) and smoking (18.7% vs 34.1%) compared to those without COVID-19.
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