Cardiac Arrhythmias in COVID-19 Patients
Summary
Cardiac arrhythmias are among the most commonly reported cardiovascular complications in patients with COVID-19. Clinical series describe arrhythmic events in up to one in five hospitalised patients, with atrial fibrillation as the predominant disturbance. The aetiology is multifactorial, encompassing direct viral invasion of cardiac myocytes, systemic inflammatory response, hypoxaemia and a prothrombotic state. Electrocardiographic abnormalities such as prolonged QT interval, ST-T changes and conduction delays frequently accompany biochemical markers of myocardial injury, including elevated troponin and natriuretic peptides. Beyond acute hospitalisation, COVID-19 survivors exhibit an increased risk of new-onset atrial fibrillation and life-threatening arrhythmias during follow-up, underscoring the need for extended monitoring strategies. Understanding the mechanisms, incidence and prognostic impact of arrhythmias in this population remains crucial to guiding risk stratification and management protocols in both acute and post-discharge settings.
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Cardiac Arrhythmias in COVID-19 Patients publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in cardiac arrhythmias in covid-19 patients across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Atrial fibrillation: A supraventricular tachyarrhythmia characterised by disorganised atrial electrical activity and irregular ventricular response.
Ventricular tachycardia: A rapid heart rhythm originating in the ventricles that can deteriorate into ventricular fibrillation.
QT interval: The duration on an ECG from the onset of ventricular depolarisation to the end of repolarisation, corrected for heart rate.
Biomarker: A measurable substance in the body, such as troponin or natriuretic peptides, indicating myocardial injury or stress.
Thromboprophylaxis: Preventative anticoagulant treatment aimed at reducing the risk of blood clot formation.
References
- COVID-19 and Heart: From Clinical Features to Pharmacological Implications. Journal of Clinical Medicine (2020).
- Prevalence and Impact of Atrial Fibrillation in Hospitalized Patients with COVID-19: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Journal of Clinical Medicine (2021).
- Prevalence of Atrial Fibrillation and Associated Mortality Among Hospitalized Patients With COVID-19: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine (2021).
- Predictors and Prognostic Implications of Cardiac Arrhythmias in Patients Hospitalized for COVID-19. Journal of Clinical Medicine (2021).
- Prophylactic rivaroxaban in the early post-discharge period reduces the rates of hospitalization for atrial fibrillation and incidence of sudden cardiac death during long-term follow-up in hospitalized COVID-19 survivors. Frontiers in Pharmacology (2023).
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