An investigation of cardiac effects in patients presenting to the pandemic clinic with suspected COVID-19

Abstract

Aim: COVID-19 is a virus capable of causing cardiovascular complications. This study investigates whether any cardiac effect is present in patients presenting with suspected COVID-19 in the light of Electrocardiography (ECG) findings. Material and Method: This prospective study involved patients with chest pain presenting to the pandemic clinic with suspected COVID-19. Patients were divided into two groups based on their PCR results, PCR-positive and -negative. All participants’ demographic characteristics, presentation symptoms and the duration thereof, physical examination findings, laboratory results, and ECG findings were recorded. Patients with positive PCR results were invited for checks on the 15th day, when repeat ECG was performed. Results: A-50 patients with positive PCR results and 50 with negative PCR results were included in the study. The mean age of the entire patient group was 52.30±16.02 years, and 56% were women. No difference was determined between the positive and negative PCR result patients in terms of age or sex (p=0.116; 0.687, respectively). Presentation high sensitive cardiac Troponin (hs-cTn) levels were significantly higher in the patients with positive PCR results than in the PCR-negative patients (p