# Spectrum of myocardial involvement in patients with COVID-19 – An echocardiography study

## TL;DR

This study identifies specific heart muscle changes in COVID-19 patients using echocardiography, aiding in the diagnosis of heart involvement.

## Contribution

The study reveals a unique pattern of myocardial dysfunction in COVID-19 patients detectable via echocardiography.

## Key findings

- Echocardiography showed hypokinesia of anterolateral and apical segments in all patients.
- Strain-derived ejection fraction was lower in four-chamber views, indicating regional dysfunction.
- Reduced global longitudinal strain with normal ejection fraction suggests global systolic impairment.

## Abstract

Covid-19 patients can have both regional and global ventricular dysfunction. We aim to study the spectrum of myocardial involvement in Covid-19 patients on echocardiography.

This is a single center, observational study where wall motion abnormality patterns were studied in Covid-19 patients along with global and regional longitudinal strain analysis (GLS).

30 Covid-19 patients were included in the study, with a mean age of 35.3±6.4 years. Echocardiography revealed characteristic wall motion abnormality involving hypokinesia of anterolateral and apical segments, which produced an operculum like appearance in all patients. Strain derived ejection fraction(EF) was lower in 4 chamber as compared to 2 chamber indicating regional myocardial dysfunction. Reduced GLS values in presence of normal EF indicates global systolic function impairment. Endocardial effacement was also noted in these segments along with stretching of interventricular septum.

Specific myocardial involvement pattern can be detected on echocardiography, thus helping in diagnosis of Covid myocarditis.