CARDIOVASCULAR MANIFESTATIONS IN POST-COVID PATIENTS – AN OBSERVATIONAL STUDY

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on global health & economy. The consequences of
Covid persisting or manifesting beyond the acute phase or ‘Post-COVID 19 conditions’ affect multiple
organ systems including pulmonary, cardiovascular, musculoskeletal and nervous systems. The
pathophysiological mechanisms postulated include chronic inflammation,dysregulated autoimmune
response and endothelial dysfunction. A hospital based observational descriptive study was conducted at
Government TD Medical College Alappuzha to identify the clinical profile of post-COVID patients who
presented with new onset cardiovascular symptoms. By convenience sampling, data from 100 patients
were collected in semi-structured proformas during the one year study period, focusing on the
sociodemographic profile, comorbidities, severity of COVID-19 infection, time since infection,
vaccination status and the nature of new onset cardiovascular manifestations.61 of the 100 patients were
males.55% were in the 46-65 age group.69% had a history of mild category of COVID-19 infection,15%
moderate and 16% severe.57% had presented wthin 6 months of Covid