Background
The evidence of pathological involvement of the heart during the acute phase of COVID-19 is rapidly growing. But little is known on the cardiac consequences of COVID-19 after recovery. Few studies reported functional involvement of the left and right ventricle that might persist after recovery. The goal of the study was echocardiographic evaluation of non-hospitalized patients recovered from COVID-19.
Method(s)
In this prospective observational cohort study, forty three non-hospitalized patients recovered from COVID-19 were identified from the Istanbul University Faculty of Medicine COVID-19 Follow-up Outpatient Clinic from September 30 to October 30, 2020. Two-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography (2D TTE) was performed at the 6th month follow-up. Patients with COVID-19 who required hospitalization, younger than 18 years of age, with a previous history of coronary artery disease, heart failure, valvular heart disease, atrial fibrillation, pulmonary hypertension, pulmonary embolism, renal failure were excluded from the study. Comparisons were made with age, sex and risk factor-matched control group (n=40).
Result(s)
The mean age of the 43 home recovery patients from COVID-19 was 46,7 ± 12,5, 58% of whom were male. The clinical, demographic features and laboratory findings at the day of 2D TTE were similar between patient and control groups (Table 1). Again echocardiographic findings of home recovery patients and control group were similar (Table 2).
Conclusion(s)
In conclusion, we have not determined structural or functional seguelea in the heart of home recovery patients from COVID- 19 at 6th month follow-up. Thus, the myocardial pathological alterations observed in the recent studies in the literature may not reflect specific effects of the virus, but rather the consequences of critical illness in a population with a high prevalence of underlying conditions. This could be a general outcome that might be expected in non-COVID-19 patients with similarly severe clinical conditions.

Echocardiographic evaluation of COVID-19 patients after home recovery

ECHO ASIA is organized by Asian-Pacific Association of Echocardiography (AAE). The meeting combines the basic echocardiography training curriculum and the state-of-the-art lectures/scientific sessions provided by international as well as Asian-Pacific experts. The meeting is a unique forum where scientists from many countries in the Asian-Pacific region who are involved in the field of Doppler echocardiography gather together to exchange knowledge and skills. Various internationally distinguished faculties consent to present their findings and reveal their clinical experiences in ECHO ASIA.