# Impaired Cardiovascular Hemodynamics in Patients Hospitalized with COVID-19 Pneumonia

## TL;DR

This study shows that patients hospitalized with severe COVID-19 pneumonia have impaired heart function, which can be detected using a noninvasive method called impedance cardiography.

## Contribution

The study demonstrates that impedance cardiography can detect cardiovascular dysfunction in hospitalized COVID-19 patients.

## Key findings

- Patients with COVID-19 had significantly higher heart rate and vascular resistance compared to controls.
- Cardiac function parameters like stroke volume index and velocity index were significantly lower in the COVID group.
- Impedance cardiography revealed cardiac dysfunction in 37% of the COVID group, compared to 3% in controls.

## Abstract

Background: SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2) infection may be associated with impaired cardiac function, especially in severe cases requiring hospitalization. Impedance cardiography (ICG) is a noninvasive method for assessing cardiac function. It could be useful for the early detection of hemodynamic dysfunction, particularly in patients with a severe course of COVID-19. Aim: This study aimed to analyze and compare the hemodynamic profiles of patients hospitalized with SARS-CoV-2-induced pneumonia to those of a control group. Methods: This prospective, observational, clinical study included 30 hospitalized patients (both men and women, mean age: 48 years) diagnosed with COVID-19 pneumonia (COVID group). Their data were compared to those of a retrospective control group (CG). The study participants were propensity score-matched based on clinical characteristics, including age, blood pressure (BP), and body mass index (BMI). ICG measurements of hemodynamic profiles were performed using a Niccomo device and included heart rate (HR), stroke volume index (SI), cardiac index (CI), velocity index (VI), acceleration index (ACI), Heather index (HI), systemic vascular resistance index (SVRI), and thoracic fluid content (TFC). Results: Patients with COVID-19 showed significantly higher HR (p < 0.0001) and SVRI (p = 0.0003) and lower values for several cardiac function parameters, including SI (p < 0.0001), VI (p < 0.0001), ACI (p = 0.004), and HI (p < 0.0001). Additionally, 11 patients (37%) in the COVID group had a low SI (<35 mL/m2), compared to only 1 patient (3%) in the control group (p < 0.0001). A statistically significant difference in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was also observed (p < 0.0001), although absolute values remained within the normal range. Conclusions: SARS-CoV-2 infection negatively affects the cardiovascular system, leading to impaired heart function even in low-risk patients. Impedance cardiography may serve as a simple, noninvasive tool for identifying individuals with cardiac dysfunction following COVID-19 pneumonia.