Cardiac Involvement in Post-COVID Syndrome: A Study of Long-Term Cardiovascular Effects and Pathophysiology

Abstract

Background: Long COVID, or Post-COVID Syndrome, can be identified as the constancy of symptoms, which appear after the acute COVID-19 process. Myocarditis, pericarditis, arrhythmia, and heart failure are cardiovascular outcomes that have proved to have important long-term consequences. The pathological patterns of cardiac involvement in Long COVID are imperative to understand to provide care and manage the patient.

Objectives: To examine long-term cardiovascular consequences of COVID-19, evaluate the incidence of myocarditis, arrhythmias, and heart failure, and evaluate their outcomes after clinical examination of patients with post-COVID course.

Study design: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Place And Duration Of Study: Department of Cardiology, MTI LRH, Peshawar, From 2020 To 2021

Methods: This study involved a cohort of 100 post-COVID patients aged between 18-80 with COVID-19 recovery but persistent cardiovascular symptoms. Biomarkers in serum, echocardiogram, and electrocardiogram were assessed to determine the prevalence of myocarditis, arrhythmias, and heart failures in the patients. Measures were recorded in six months with clinical measurement and follow-ups. Results were compared using statistical tests such as t-tests and chi-square tests.

Results: Patients had a mean age of 47.8 (SD = 15.3). Co-morbidities included arrhythmias in 25% of the cohort, myocarditis in 18% and heart failure in 12%. People who had been admitted to the hospital due to serious COVID-19 showed a much larger proportion of cardiovascular complications (p < 0.05). Patients who already had cardiovascular disorders were found to be 40 per cent more prone to these complications. Follow-up data revealed that satisfactory management of the condition resulted in a symptomatic decrease; however, there was still a great proportion of patients who still had mild-to-moderate symptoms, implying the long-term maintenance of cardiovascular risk.

Conclusion: Cardiovascular complications after COVID-19 are a well-known phenomenon that may last long beyond the acute COVID-19 infection. The cohort members had myocarditis, arrhythmias, and heart failure, predominantly in severe COVID cases and in people with pre-existing cardiovascular diseases. The management of these long-term cardiovascular risks is important, with early detection and intervention being critical. It is advised that the affected patients should be subject to continuous monitoring and special treatment in order to enhance the quality of life and avoid the worsening of the complication.