Acute cardiac injury is associated with adverse outcomes, including mortality in COVID-19 patients

Objectives: To evaluate acute cardiac injury in COVID-19 patients and its association with adverse outcomes including mortality in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) population Methods: A retrospective study conducted between February and June 2020 in Dubai, UAE, for all laboratory-confirmed Coronavirus disease-19 patients Demographic, clinical, laboratory, radiological, and clinical outcomes were compared between patients with and without acute cardiac injury Results: During the study period, 203 patients were included, of which, 44 (21 7%) had evidence of acute cardiac injury Compared with patients without acute cardiac injury, patients with acute cardiac injury were: older, had more shortness of breath, diabetes, hypertension, and more bilateral airspace shadowing on admission chest radiography These patients also had a higher neutrophil count, C-reactive protein, procalcitonin, ferritin, D-dimers and lactate dehydrogenase but lower lymphocyte count Regarding outcomes, these patients had higher intensive care admissions;a higher rate of complications including acute kidney and liver injury, acidosis, septic shock, acute respiratory distress syndrome, needed more mechanical ventilation, and had a significantly higher risk of death Conclusion: Acute cardiac injury is common among Coronavirus disease-19 patients These patients present with higher comorbidities, have high inflammatory markers and have greater risk for in-hospital multi-organ damage, need for mechanical ventilation, and death Prompt full assessment and intervention are recommended