Prominent Longitudinal Strain Reduction of Basal Left Ventricular Segments in Patients with COVID-19

Goerlich, Erin; Gilotra, Nisha A.; Minhas, Anum S.; Bavaro, Nicole; Hays, Allison G.; Cingolani, Oscar H.

BACKGROUND: COVID-19 has been associated with overt and subclinical myocardial dysfunction. We observed a recurring pattern of reduced basal left ventricular (LV) longitudinal strain (LS) on speckle-tracking echocardiography (STE) in hospitalized COVID-19 patients and subsequently aimed to identify characteristics of affected patients. We hypothesized that COVID-19 patients with reduced basal LV strain would demonstrate elevated cardiac biomarkers. METHODS: 81 consecutive COVID-19 patients underwent STE. Those with poor quality STE (n=2) or known LV ejection fraction<50% (n=4) were excluded. Patients with absolute value basal LS<13.9% (2SD below normal) were designated as cases (n=39); those with basal LS≥13.9% as controls (n=36). Demographics and clinical variables were compared. RESULTS: Of 75 included patients (mean age 62±14 years, 41% women), 52% had reduced basal strain. Cases had higher BMI (median[IQR]) (34.1[26.5-37.9]kg/m(2) vs. 26.9[24.8-30.0]kg/m(2), p=0.009), and greater proportions of Black (74% vs. 36%, p=0.0009), hypertensive (79% vs. 56%, p=0.026) and diabetic patients (44% vs. 19%, p=0.025) compared to controls. Troponin and NT-proBNP levels trended higher in cases but were not significantly different. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Reduced basal LV strain is common in COVID-19 patients. Patients with hypertension, diabetes, obesity, and Black race were more likely to have reduced basal strain. Further investigation into the significance of this strain pattern is warranted.