Short Term Effects of Mild Severity COVID-19 on Left Ventricular Functions

Abstract

Purpose: We aimed to evaluate long term effects of COVID-19 disease on left ventricular function using speckle tracking echocardiography. Methods: In our study, 96 non-hospitalized patients who were diagnosed with COVID-19 disease in our center between 15 August 2020 and 01 September 2020 and 96 age and gender matched control subjects were included.Results:The mean follow up duration was 137 ± 7 days. White blood cell, neutrophile and lymphocyte were significantly lower and C-reactive protein (CRP) and neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) were significantly higher in the COVID-19 group. (6.6 ± 2.8 vs. 24.4 ± 21.8, p <0.001 and 4.1 ± 2.5 vs. 7.1 ± 4, p <0.001, respectively). LV-GLS and LV-GCS were significantly lower in the COVID-19 group. (-20.1 ± 3.1 vs -15.9 ± 2, p <0.001 and -29.3 ± 2.1 vs -26.3 ± 2.1, p <0.001, respectively). LV-GLS and LV-GCS were found to be negatively correlated with CRP (rs = -0.515, p <0.001 and rs = 0.-466, p <0.001, respectively) and NLR (rs = -0.494, p <0.001 and rs = -434, p <0.001, respectively). Conclusion: Deteriorating effects of COVID-19 disease on both LV-GCS and LV-GLS can be seen even in the short term. These detrimental effects seem to be associated with CRP levels and NLR measured in the course of active infection.