Abstract:

Aim The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) causes many cardiovascular complications. In patients with comorbidities, COVID-19 infection has a more severe course. Although some patients who do not have comorbidities, severe infection and death may occur. In studies, many echocardiographic parameters were found to be impaired in patients with COVID-19 pneumonia. The right ventricular premature inflow-output flow (RVEIO) index is a possible and indirect predictor of the severity of right ventricular dysfunction. The aim of our study is to evaluate the RVEIO index after discharge in patients with moderate-to-severe COVID-19 pneumonia without comorbidities. Methods The study was conducted in a single center, prospectively. One month after discharge, echocardiography and biochemical tests were performed in 57 patients with moderate-to-severe COVID-19 pneumonia without comorbidities. Results Pulmonary artery diameter was found to be significantly larger in the severe group [1.9 (1.8-2) vs. 2 (1.9-2.1) p=0.014]. Pulmonary artery acceleration time [140.92±11.70 vs 114.58±12.03 p=0.001)] and RVOT VTI [23.48±1.96 vs 19.18±2.2 p  <0.001] was significantly lower, while the RVEIO index was [2.51±0.54 vs 3.22±0.92 p<0.001] was found to be significantly higher in the severe group. Conclusion The long-term effects of COVID-19 infection are unknown. Therefore, follow-up studies should be conducted. Echocardiography can be used in the follow-up of inpatients and discharged patients because of its easy accessibility and low cost. Long-term follow-up should be conducted for individuals who had a severe COVID-19 pneumonia and who do not have comorbidities. The RVEIO index may be used in the follow-ups.