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.The most common symptoms were chest pain,breathlessness,palpitations,fatigue,pedal edema and pre-syncopal episodes.78 patients had MACE,of which 20 presented with cardiac failure. 60 patients were diagnosed with acute coronary syndrome,4 with other arterial thromboses, 6 with non-ischemic cardiomyopathy,2 with myocarditis/myopericarditis and 7 with venous thromboembolism.35 patients had some form of arrhythmia. The new onset cardiovascular events including MACE could be a sequelae of COVID-19 infection and hence post-COVID patients should be followed up with a focus on cardiovascular risk assessment, and measures for secondary prevention can be taken

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