Effects of COVID-19 Infection on P-Wave Dispersion, P-Wave Peak Time and Atrial Conduction Times

Objectives: The relationship between atrial conduction times and paroxysmal atrial fibrillation has been demonstrated in some studies. There have been case reports showing that coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) infection caused arrhythmic cases including atrial fibrillation. We investigate the effect of different clinical presentations of COVID-19 infection on these parameters in this study. Materials and Methods: We divided the patients who were infected by COVID-19 into three groups according to computerized tomography and real-time polymerase chain reaction test results. The longest P-wave duration, shortest P-wave durations, P-wave dispersion and P-wave peak duration were calculated in the surface electrocardiography of these patients. Results: Patients with both real-time polymerase chain reaction test positive and pneumonia had the highest P-wave maximum duration (113.08±9.671 ms vs 102.44±7.412 ms. and 99.18±9.292 ms;p=0.000) and the highest P-wave dispersion (53.34±7.705 ms vs 40.58±4.813 ms. and 35.42±4.116 ms;p=0.000) and the longest P-wave peak time (56.79±7.767 ms vs 51.92 ms ±6.443 ms and 50.55±11.63 ms;p=0.008). P-wave dispersion was found longer in patients with real-time polymerase chain reaction test only compared to patients with only pneumonia (40.58±4.813 ms. vs 35.42±4.116 ms;p=0.000). Conclusion: Patients with COVID-19 pneumonia with real-time polymerase chain reaction test positivity have longest P-wave dispersion, P-wave maximum duration and P-wave peak duration. It seems that they have a risk of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. That’s why, that group may benefit most from strict electrocardiography follow-up.