The role of admission electrocardiogram in predicting outcome in patients hospitalized for COVID-19

• Published in: Journal of electrocardiology Vol. 75; pp. 10 - 18
• Main Authors: Zeijlon, Rickard, Hällgren, Peter, Le, Vina, Chamat, Jasmina, Wågerman, Johan, Enabtawi, Israa, Rawshani, Araz, Unenge, Sten, Jha, Sandeep, Omerovic, Elmir, Redfors, Björn
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01.11.2022; The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Cardiology and Cardiovascular Disease; Cardiovascular; COVID-19; Death; Electrocardiogram; Electrocardiography; Female; Hospital Mortality; Hospitalization; Humans; Intensive care unit; Intensive Care Units; Kardiologi och kardiovaskulära sjukdomar; Male; Middle Aged; Retrospective Studies; COVID-19; Death; Electrocardiogram; Intensive care unit
• ISSN: 0022-0736; 1532-8430; 1532-8430
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jelectrocard.2022.10.005

Abnormal electrocardiogram (ECG) has been associated with poor outcome in patients hospitalized for COVID-19. However, the independent association between admission ECG and the risk of a poor outcome remains to be established. Our aim was to determine if abnormal admission ECG predicts treatment at intensive care unit or in-hospital death within 30 days in patients hospitalized for COVID-19. We analyzed the propensity weighted association between abnormal admission ECG and outcome in patients hospitalized for COVID-19 (March to May 2020). All adult patients hospitalized for COVID-19 at the three centers of Sahlgrenska University Hospital (Gothenburg, Sweden) were eligible for inclusion (N = 439). Patients with available admission ECG within six hours from admission were included. 238 patients (age 62 ± 16 years, 74% male) were included. 103 patients had normal ECG and 135 patients had abnormal ECG. 99 patients were admitted to intensive care unit or died in-hospital within 30 days. Abnormal ECG was associated with increased risk of the outcome (odds ratio 2.11 [95% confidence interval 1.21–3.66]). Abnormal admission ECG was associated with increased risk of treatment at intensive care unit or in-hospital death within 30 days; and could be considered a high-risk criterion in patients hospitalized for COVID-19.