Connections between Diabetes Mellitus and Metabolic Syndrome and the Outcome of Cardiac Dysfunctions Diagnosed during the Recovery from COVID-19 in Patients without a Previous History of Cardiovascular Diseases

Abstract

(1) Background: Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, it became obvious that individuals suffering with obesity, diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and metabolic syndrome (MS) frequently developed persisting cardiovascular complications, which were partially able to explain the onset of the long-COVID-19 syndrome. (2) Methods: Our aim was to document, by transthoracic echocardiography (TTE), the presence of cardiac alterations in 112 patients suffering from post-acute COVID-19 syndrome and T2DM, MS, and/or obesity, in comparison to 91 individuals without metabolic dysfunctions (MD); (3) Results: in patients with MD, TTE borderline/abnormal left (LVF) and/or right ventricular function (RVF), alongside diastolic dysfunction (DD), were more frequently evidenced, when compared to controls (p ˂ 0.001). Statistically significant associations between TTE parameters and the number of factors defining MS, the triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index, the severity of the SARS-CoV-2 infection, and the number of persisting symptoms (p ˂ 0.001) were noted. Significant predictive values for the initial C-reactive protein and TyG index levels, both for the initial and the 6-month follow-up levels of these TTE abnormalities (p ˂ 0.001), were highlighted by means of a multivariate regression analysis. (4) Conclusions: in diabetic patients with MS and/or obesity with comorbid post-acute COVID-19 syndrome, a comprehensive TTE delineates various cardiovascular alterations, when compared with controls. After 6 months, LVF and RVF appeared to normalize, however, the DD—although somewhat improved—did persist in approximately a quarter of patients with MD, possibly due to chronic myocardial changes.

COVID-19 and Laboratory Markers from Romanian Patients—A Narrative Review

“…The works of Tudoran et al from 2023 report the correlation between HDL and LDL levels and various cardiovascular parameters, such as aortic and arterial stiffness and diastolic dysfunction. The results suggest that abnormal HDL and LDL levels may be associated with increased cardiovascular risk in patients recovering from COVID-19 [ 46 , 93 ]. Some triglyceride involvement was observed in patients known to have metabolic syndrome [ 46 , 93 , 94 ].…”

“…The results suggest that abnormal HDL and LDL levels may be associated with increased cardiovascular risk in patients recovering from COVID-19 [ 46 , 93 ]. Some triglyceride involvement was observed in patients known to have metabolic syndrome [ 46 , 93 , 94 ].…”

“…The major laboratory markers that were studied by Romanian authors are displayed in Table 1. Yes, even more so in Roma [53,54,[58][59][60][61][62]70] Diabetes [48,94] Antiphospholipid syndrome [47] Hypertension [27] Cardiac dysfunction [46,73,93] Overweight/metabolic syndrome [27,54,93] Lung involvement [50,57] PIMS [83] Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria Exacerbation [42] Pneumothorax/ pneumomediastinum [31,72] Liver failure [44] Multiple organ dysfunction [ [57,58,102,103] No [55] More comorbidities [29,101] Lung involvement [57] In addition, this article aimed to identify gaps in this research and provide encouragement for Romanian research to focus on novel and detailed aspects of the pandemic. For instance, as Romania grapples with the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, understanding the long-term effects of the disease is of paramount importance.…”

Triglicerydes/high‐density lipoprotein ratio as a risk factor of post‐Covid‐19 sinus tachycardia: A retrospective study

“…In addition, insulin resistance is a recognized factor in increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease. 26 Therefore, in searching for factors that predispose patients with PCS to the development of IST, the indicators of insulin resistance have been analysed. As fasting insulin measurements are subject to a high risk of prelaboratory error and are often underpowered in population studies, the choice was made for the TG/ HDL ratio.…”

Do Serum Galectin-9 Levels in Women with Gestational Diabetes and Healthy Ones Differ before or after Delivery? A Pilot Study

“…We also calculated the triglyceride-glucose index (TyG) as the logarithm of the product of glucose and triglycerides, with the formula being: ln [glucose (mg/dL) × triglycerides (mg/dL)/2]. This parameter has been recommended as an alternative indicator of insulin resistance, because it correlates to glucotoxicity and lipotoxicity [ 31 , 32 , 33 ].…”