Characteristics of patients referred to a cardiovascular disease clinic for post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection.

INTRODUCTION

There is limited literature on cardiovascular manifestations of post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC).

METHODS

This observational study aimed to describe the characteristics, diagnostic evaluations, and new cardiac diagnoses in patients referred to a cardiovascular disease clinic designed for patients with PASC, and to identify factors associated with cardiovascular symptoms with no identifiable cardiac pathology.

RESULTS

Of 126 patients, average age was 46 years, and 34 % were male. Patients presented on average five months after COVID-19 diagnosis. The most common symptoms were dyspnea (52 %), chest pain/pressure (48 %), palpitations (44 %), and fatigue (42 %), commonly associated with exertion or exercise intolerance. New cardiovascular diseases were present in 23 % of cases. The remainder exhibited common symptoms which we termed "cardiovascular PASC syndrome."

DISCUSSION: We found that only one in four patients had a new cardiovascular diagnosis, but most displayed a pattern of symptoms associated with exercise intolerance.