Felix Bende1,2,3, Cristina Tudoran3,4,5, Ioan Sporea1,2,3, Renata Fofiu1,2, Victor Bâldea1,2, Radu Cotrău1,2, Alina Popescu1,2,3, Roxana Sirli1,2,3, Bogdan Silviu Ungureanu6, Mariana Tudoran3,4,5. 1. Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy "Victor Babes" Timisoara, 300041 Timisoara, Romania. 2. Center of Advanced Research in Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy "Victor Babes" Timisoara, 300041 Timisoara, Romania. 3. County Emergency Hospital "Pius Brinzeu", L. Rebreanu, Nr. 156, 300723 Timisoara, Romania. 4. Center of Molecular Research in Nephrology and Vascular Disease, Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy "Victor Babes" Timisoara, E. Murgu Square, Nr. 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania. 5. Department VII, Internal Medicine II, Discipline of Cardiology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy "Victor Babes" Timisoara, E. Murgu Square, Nr. 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania. 6. Research Center of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 200349 Craiova, Romania.
Abstract
(1) Background: Patients suffering from the novel coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) disease could experience several extra-pulmonary involvements, including cardiovascular complications and liver injury. This study aims to evaluate the presence of cardiac and liver alterations in patients with post-acute COVID-19 syndrome using transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) and liver elastography (LE). (2) Methods: A total of 97 subjects recovering from COVID-19, attending the hospital's specialized outpatient clinic for persisting symptoms at 3 to 11 weeks after the acute illness, were included in this study. They all had a basal COVID-19 assessment, and subsequently, a clinical evaluation, laboratory tests, TTE, and LE. (3) Results: considering the presence of pulmonary injury during COVID-19, patients were divided into two groups. Although none of them had altered systolic function, we evidenced pulmonary hypertension, diastolic dysfunction, increased liver stiffness, viscosity, and steatosis in around one-third of the patients, with significantly higher values in subjects with pulmonary injury compared to those without. (4) Conclusion: persisting symptoms characterizing the post-acute COVID-19 syndrome could be explained by residual cardiac and hepatic lesions, which were worse in more severe COVID-19 forms. These patients may be at risk of developing liver fibrosis and cardiac alterations and should be investigated in the first 12 weeks after the onset of the infection.
(1) Background: Patients suffering from the novel coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) disease could experience several extra-pulmonary involvements, including cardiovascular complications and liver injury. This study aims to evaluate the presence of cardiac and liver alterations in patients with post-acute COVID-19 syndrome using transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) and liver elastography (LE). (2) Methods: A total of 97 subjects recovering from COVID-19, attending the hospital's specialized outpatient clinic for persisting symptoms at 3 to 11 weeks after the acute illness, were included in this study. They all had a basal COVID-19 assessment, and subsequently, a clinical evaluation, laboratory tests, TTE, and LE. (3) Results: considering the presence of pulmonary injury during COVID-19, patients were divided into two groups. Although none of them had altered systolic function, we evidenced pulmonary hypertension, diastolic dysfunction, increased liver stiffness, viscosity, and steatosis in around one-third of the patients, with significantly higher values in subjects with pulmonary injury compared to those without. (4) Conclusion: persisting symptoms characterizing the post-acute COVID-19 syndrome could be explained by residual cardiac and hepatic lesions, which were worse in more severe COVID-19 forms. These patients may be at risk of developing liver fibrosis and cardiac alterations and should be investigated in the first 12 weeks after the onset of the infection.
Authors: Elisa Ceriani; Azzurra Marceca; Antonio Lanfranchi; Stefano De Vita; Riccardo Schiavon; Francesco Casella; Daniela Torzillo; Marta Del Medico; Diego Ruggiero; Alberto Barosi; Chiara Cogliati Journal: Intern Emerg Med Date: 2021-05-21 Impact factor: 3.397