Introduction:
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has killed hundreds of thousands worldwide. Those with cardiovascular disease represent a vulnerable population with higher risk for contracting COVID-19 and worse prognosis with higher case fatality rates. Congestive heart failure (CHF) may lead to worsening COVID-19 symptoms. However, it is unclear if CHF is an independent risk factor for severe COVID-19 infection or if other accompanying comorbidities are responsible for the increased risk.
Methods:
From March to June 2020, data was obtained from adult patients diagnosed with COVID-19 infection who were admitted in the Rush University System for Health (RUSH) in Illinois. Heart failure patients, determined by ICD code assignments extracted from the electronic medical records, were identified. Multivariable logistic regression was performed between predictor variables and a composite outcome of severe infection consisting of Intensive Care Unit (ICU) admission, intubation, or in-hospital mortality.
Results:
In this cohort (n=1136), CHF [odds ratio (OR) 1.02] alone did not predict a more severe illness. Prior myocardial infarction [(MI), OR 3.55], history of atrial fibrillation [(AF), OR 2.14], and male sex (OR 1.55) were all significantly (p<0.001) associated with more severe COVID-19 illness course when controlling for CHF (Figure 1). In the 178 CHF patients, more advanced age (68.8 years vs. 63.8 years; p<0.05) and female sex (54.5% vs. 39.1%; p<0.05) were associated with increased severity of illness.
Conclusions:
Prior MI, history of AF, and male sex predicted more severe COVID-19 illness course in our cohort, but pre-existing heart failure alone did not. However, CHF patients who are females and older in age are at risk for severe infection. These findings help clinicians identify patients with comorbidities early at risk for severe COVID-19 illness.
Myocardial infarctions and congestive heart failure in the population - treated hypertension at risk.
