학술논문

J-waves in acute COVID-19: A novel disease characteristic and predictor of mortality?
Document Type
Article
Source
PLoS ONE. 10/14/2021, Vol. 16 Issue 10, p1-15. 15p.
Subject
*COVID-19
*ARRHYTHMIA
*HEART failure
*HOSPITAL admission & discharge
*C-reactive protein
*MORTALITY
Language
ISSN
1932-6203
Abstract
Background: J-waves represent a common finding in routine ECGs (5–6%) and are closely linked to ventricular tachycardias. While arrhythmias and non-specific ECG alterations are a frequent finding in COVID-19, an analysis of J-wave incidence in acute COVID-19 is lacking. Methods: A total of 386 patients consecutively, hospitalized due to acute COVID-19 pneumonia were included in this retrospective analysis. Admission ECGs were analyzed, screened for J-waves and correlated to clinical characteristics and 28-day mortality. Results: J-waves were present in 12.2% of patients. Factors associated with the presence of J-waves were old age, female sex, a history of stroke and/or heart failure, high CRP levels as well as a high BMI. Mortality rates were significantly higher in patients with J-waves in the admission ECG compared to the non-J-wave cohort (J-wave: 14.9% vs. non-J-wave 3.8%, p = 0.001). After adjusting for confounders using a multivariable cox regression model, the incidence of J-waves was an independent predictor of mortality at 28-days (OR 2.76 95% CI: 1.15–6.63; p = 0.023). J-waves disappeared or declined in 36.4% of COVID-19 survivors with available ECGs for 6–8 months follow-up. Conclusion: J-waves are frequently and often transiently found in the admission ECG of patients hospitalized with acute COVID-19. Furthermore, they seem to be an independent predictor of 28-day mortality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]