Features on ECG During Admission May Predict in-hospital Events for COVID-19 Patients

Abstract

To evaluate the association of electrocardiography (ECG) features obtained on admission with treating units and in-hospital all-cause mortality in coronavirus disease (COVID-19) patients. Methods: A total of 172 hospitalized COVID-19 patients who were diagnosed by detecting severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) with real-time reversetranscription polymerase chain reaction method between 15 May and 17 June 2020 were consecutively enrolled in the study. Laboratory parameters and findings on ECG obtained during admission were recorded. Criteria for hospitalization and intensive care unit (ICU) admission were determined in accordance with the interim guidance of the Republic of Turkey Ministry of Health. Patients were divided according to their in-hospital mortality status and units where patients were treated. Results: The median age was significantly higher in the non-survivors group and in patients treated in the ICU (p <0.05, for both). PR duration, P dispersion, QRS duration (QRSd), corrected QT duration (QTc), and QT dispersion (QTd) were significantly longer in patients treated in the ICU (p <0.001, for all), whilst PR duration, P dispersion, QRSd, QTd, and QTc were significantly longer in the non-survivors group (p <0.05, for all). QTd predicted admission to ICU, whereas QRSd predicted in-hospital all-cause mortality in patients with COVID-19. Conclusions: Findings on ECG during admission may be independently associated with treating units and in-hospital all-cause mortality in COVID-19 patients.