Background Specific details about cardiovascular complications, especially arrhythmias, related to the coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID‐19) are not well described. Objective We sought to evaluate the incidence and predictive factors of cardiovascular complications and new‐onset arrhythmias in Black and White hospitalized COVID‐19 patients and determine the impact of new‐onset arrhythmia on outcomes. Methods We collected and analyzed baseline demographic and clinical data from COVID‐19 patients hospitalized at the Tulane Medical Center in New Orleans, Louisiana, between March 1 and May 1, 2020. Results Among 310 hospitalized COVID‐19 patients, the mean age was 61.4 ± 16.5 years, with 58,7% females, and 67% Black patients. Black patients were more likely to be younger, have diabetes and obesity. The incidence of cardiac complications was 20%, with 9% of patients having new‐onset arrhythmia. There was no significant difference in cardiovascular outcomes between Black and White patients. A multivariate analysis determined age ≥60 years to be a predictor of new‐onset arrhythmia (OR = 7.36, 95% CI [1.95;27.76], p = .003). D‐dimer levels positively correlated with cardiac and new‐onset arrhythmic event. New onset atrial arrhythmias predicted in‐hospital mortality (OR = 2.99 95% CI [1.35;6.63], p = .007), a longer intensive care unit length of stay (mean of 6.14 days, 95% CI [2.51;9.77], p = .001) and mechanical ventilation duration(mean of 9.08 days, 95% CI [3.75;14.40], p = .001). Conclusion Our results indicate that new onset atrial arrhythmias are commonly encountered in COVID‐19 patients and can predict in‐hospital mortality. Early elevation in D‐dimer in COVID‐19 patients is a significant predictor of new onset arrhythmias. Our finding suggest continuous rhythm monitoring should be adopted in this patient population during hospitalization to better risk stratify hospitalized patients and prompt earlier intervention.

Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) and sleeve gastrectomy (SG) reduce blood pressure (BP) in obese patients with hypertension (HTN). We compared the effect of RYGB and SG on BP in obese patients with HTN at a large-volume, private bariatric surgery center using a propensity score analysis. The measurement and management of BP were exclusively left to the patient’s provider without any involvement of Tulane investigators. At month 1, RYGB and SG equally decreased: (1) mean body weight: 12.7 vs 13.2 kg (p=not significant (NS)) (2) systolic/diastolic BP: 8.5/5.3 vs 8.0/4.2 mm Hg (p=NS) and (3) average number of antihypertensive medications from 1.5 to 0.8 and from 1.6 to 0.6 per patient (p=NS). From month 1 to 12, BP remained unchanged after RYGB but tended to increase from month 6 to 12 after SG. Remission of HTN occurred in 52% and 44% of patients after RYGB and SG. In contrast to the full effect of RYGB and SG on BP at 1 month, body weight decreases steadily over 12 months after RYGB and SG. In conclusion, early after surgery, RYGB and SG equally reduce BP in obese patients with HTN. Thereafter, RYGB has a more sustained effect on BP than SG.

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Background: Specific details about cardiovascular complications, especially arrhythmias, related to COVID-19 are not well described. Objective: We sought to evaluate the incidence and predictive factors of cardiovascular complications and newonset arrhythmias in Black and White hospitalized COVID-19 patients and determine the impact of new-onset arrhythmia on outcomes. Methods: We collected and analyzed baseline demographic and clinical data from COVID-19 patients hospitalized at the Tulane Medical Center in New Orleans, Louisiana, between March 1st and May 1st, 2020. Results: Among 310 hospitalized COVID-19 patients, the mean age was 61.4 ± 16.5 years, with 58,7% females, and 67% Black patients. Black patients were more likely to be younger, have diabetes and obesity . The incidence of cardiac complications was 20%, with 9% of patients having new-onset arrhythmia. There was no significant difference in cardiovascular outcomes between Black and White patients. D-dimer levels positively correlated with cardiac and new-onset arrhythmic event . New onset atrial arrhythmias predicted inhospital mortality (OR=2.99 95% CI [1.35;6.63], p=0.007), a longer intensive care unit length of stay (mean of 6.14 days, 95% CI [2.51;9.77], p=0.001) and mechanical ventilation duration(mean of 9.08 days, 95% CI [3.75;14.40], p=0.001). Conclusion: Our results indicate that new onset atrial arrhythmias are commonly encountered in COVID-19 patients and can predict in-hospital mortality. Early elevation in D-dimer in COVID-19 patients is a significant predictor of new onset arrhythmias. Our finding suggest continuous rhythm monitoring should be adopted in this patient population during hospitalization to better risk stratify hospitalized patients and prompt earlier intervention.