CLINICAL FEATURES OF NOVEL CORONAVIRUS 2019-INFECTED CASES WITH PRE-EXISTING CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE, DISAGGREGATED BY GENDER

Abstract

Objectives: This study was conducted to evaluate the clinical features of 68 coronavirus 2019-infected cardiac cases on gender basis. Methodology: Clinical, laboratory and electrocardiographic data of 68 COVID-19 patients with pre-existing cardiovascular diseases, analyzed and compared by gender-wise. Results: Dry cough (78% of male, 80% females) and fever (62% of male, 75% females) were the most common symptoms. Out of these 97% of them needed O2 supplementation. O2 saturation in patients with O2 therapy was 85%; 31% of men and 11% of women experienced intubation. The most common laboratory abnormalities, were neutrophilia, leukocytosis, lymphopenia, thrombocytopenia, decreased hemoglobin level, increased creatinine and urea, in men and women. Troponin level was different between male and female. Pneumonia was found in 86-87% patients. Approximately, Males and female, respectively53.10 and 52.8%, shown sinus tachycardia (ST arrythmia). PVC arrythmia was found in 2.9% of total patients. BBB arrythmia was found in 31.20% of males vs. 11.10% of females. The mean systole/diastole blood pressures respectively were 130±4/79.7 ±2 in males and 134±4/81±3 in females. Heart axis changes was identified in 43.8% and 27.8% of males and females respectively. Conclusion: Severity of symptoms and outcomes of COVID-19 in cardiac patients showed some differences between men and women which could be associated with differences in immune responses, respiratory tract properties, renin angiotensin system, sex hormones and lifestyle.  However, more studies to categorize gender differences are required.