Coronary heart disease and dynamics of intracardiac haemodynamics after hospitalisation for COVID-19: Results of a 12-month follow-up study

The study aimed to evaluate the dynamics of intracardiac haemodynamics in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) after COVID-19 over 12 months. To achieve this goal, patients with COVID-19 and diagnosed with CHD were monitored at the clinical sites of the Bogomolets National Medical University and the cardiology department of the Road Clinical Hospital No. 2, Kyiv Clinical Hospital No. 18, and the Medbud Medical Centre. The main parameters studied were left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), end-diastolic volume (EDV), cardiac output, troponins I and T, natriuretic peptide, and C-reactive protein levels. The study determined that LVEF decreased to 47% in the 3rd month after COVID-19 and partially recovered to 52% in 12 months, but did not reach the control values. The EDV increased to 160 ml at month 3 and then decreased to 147 ml at month 12, indicating a volume overload of the left ventricle. Cardiac output at the beginning of the study was 3.8 l/min, and at the end – 4.3 l/min, which indicated positive dynamics, but incomplete recovery. The levels of troponins and natriuretic peptide were initially elevated, but gradually decreased to normal levels, indicating the recovery of cardiac function. The elevated level of C-reactive protein recorded at the beginning of the study indicated the presence of an active inflammatory process, which gradually decreased to normal values over 12 months. This is a substantial indicator of inflammation reduction and improvement of the general condition of patients after COVID-19. The results of the study indicated a partial recovery of heart function in patients but also demonstrated that the recovery process is long and does not always result in a complete return to normal cardiac function