The Conditions of Survival of Patients with a SARS-CoV-2 Infection Burdened by Cardiovascular Pathologies in a Temporary Hospital in Gdańsk in 2021 and 2022

TL;DR

This study analyzed how cardiovascular disease affected the survival of patients with SARS-CoV-2 in a Polish hospital during the Delta and Omicron waves.

Contribution

The study highlights the increased mortality risk in younger patients with cardiovascular disease during the Delta wave compared to the Omicron wave.

Findings

Older patients with cardiovascular disease had higher odds of death, especially those under 73 years of age.

The Delta variant was more virulent than the Omicron variant, as seen in higher mortality and longer hospital stays in 2021.

Comprehensive diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular disease may reduce mortality in patients with SARS-CoV-2.

Abstract

A detailed analysis was carried out on the impact of cardiovascular disease on the risk of death of patients hospitalized at a temporary hospital in Gdańsk during the third and fifth waves of the COVID-19 pandemic (in 2021 and 2022, respectively). Background/Objectives: The documentation of 1244 patients was analyzed, of which 701 were hospitalized in 2021 (the Delta variant) and 543 in 2022 (the Omicron variant). The aim of this study was to assess the risk of death of patients with COVID-19 depending on the co-existence of cardiovascular diseases. Methods: A model of logistic regression was used to identify the impact of the patients’ age, the coexistence of cardiovascular disease, and the length of hospitalization on the risk of death. Results: In 2021, patients were younger (median of 66 years) than in 2022 (median of 74 years), the length of hospitalization was shorter in 2022 (9 days) than in 2021 (11 days), and there was a higher proportion of patients with cardiovascular and respiratory diseases and a medical history of cancer in 2022. The odds of death were also observed to be higher in older patients with cardiovascular disease, particularly those under 73 years of age. In older patients (over 73 years), the odds were paradoxically reduced. Conclusions: The age of the patient, cardiovascular disease, and duration of hospitalization affect the risk of death. The Delta variant (2021) was more virulent than Omicron (2022). Cardiovascular disease significantly increases the risk of death in patients with COVID-19. The comprehensive diagnosis and treatment of patients with these conditions may reduce mortality. Further studies are needed on the long-term effects of COVID-19 on the cardiovascular system.

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