AUTHOR=Yu Xiao-hua , Liao Yu-wei , Rong Ling , Chen Bi-gui , Li Run-jun , Zeng Guang-kuan , Liu Li-li , Cao Yan-bin , Liang Jian-lian , Lai Bai-ru , Zeng Yan-qing , Huang Yu-chan , Yang Li-ye 

TITLE=Clinical characteristics and risk factors in patients with SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant infection complicated with cardiovascular diseases

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Medicine

VOLUME=Volume 11 - 2024

YEAR=2024

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/medicine/articles/10.3389/fmed.2024.1383252

DOI=10.3389/fmed.2024.1383252

ISSN=2296-858X

ABSTRACT=Objective: To investigate the clinical characteristics and risk factors of patients with SARS-CoV-2 omicron variant infection complicated with cardiovascular diseases. Methods: A retrospective analysis of general clinical data was conducted on patients with SARS-CoV-2 omicron infection complicated with hypertension, coronary heart disease, and heart failure admitted to one hospital in Guangdong Province from December 1, 2022, to February 28, 2023. Results: A total of 364 confirmed cases were included, divided into the asymptomatic group, mild to moderate group, and severe to critically ill group based on the symptoms of COVID-19. The differences between the three groups in terms of sex and age were statistically significant (P < 0.05). The top three underlying diseases were hypertension (288 cases, 79.12%), coronary heart disease (100 cases, 27.47%), and diabetes (84 cases, 23.08%). The differences in unvaccinated and triple-vaccinated patients among the three groups were statistically significant (P < 0.05). In terms of laboratory tests, there were statistically significant differences in neutrophils, lymphocytes, red blood cells, C-reactive protein, D-dimer, aspartate aminotransferase, and creatinine among the three groups (P < 0.05). In imaging examinations, there were statistically significant differences among the three groups in terms of unilateral pulmonary inflammation, bilateral pulmonary inflammation, and bilateral pleural effusion (P < 0.05). Regarding clinical outcomes, there were statistically significant differences among the three groups in terms of mortality (P < 0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that CRP (OR=1.012, 95% CI=1.004-1.019) and D-Dimer (OR=1.117, 95% CI=1.021-1.224) were independent risk factors for patient mortality. The predictive value of CRP, D-Dimer, and CK-MB for the risk of death was assessed. D-Dimer had the highest sensitivity (95.8%) in predicting patient mortality risk, while CRP had the highest specificity (84.4%).For patients with COVID-19 and concomitant cardiovascular diseases without contraindications, early administration of COVID-19 vaccines and booster shots can effectively reduce the mortality rate of severe cases. Monitoring biomarkers such as CRP, D-Dimer, and CK-MB and promptly providing appropriate care can help mitigate the risk of mortality in patients.