Clin Chem. 2021 Apr 16:hvab062. doi: 10.1093/clinchem/hvab062. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
METHODS: We conducted a multicenter, retrospective, observational, US-based study of COVID-19 patients undergoing hs-cTnT. Outcomes included short-term mortality (in-hospital and 30-days post-discharge) and a composite of major adverse events including respiratory failure requiring mechanical ventilation, cardiac arrest, and shock within the index presentation and/or mortality during the index hospitalization or within 30-days post-discharge.
RESULTS: Among 367 COVID-19 patients undergoing hs-cTnT, myocardial injury was identified in 46%. They had a higher risk for mortality (20% vs. 12%, P<0.0001; unadjusted HR 4.44, 95% CI 2.13-9.25, P<0.001) and major adverse events (35% vs. 11%, P<0.0001; unadjusted OR 4.29, 95% CI 2.50-7.40, P<0.0001). Myocardial injury was associated with major adverse events (adjusted OR 3.84, 95% CI 2.00-7.36, P<0.0001) but not mortality. Baseline (adjusted OR 1.003, 95% CI 1.00-1.007, P=0.047) and maximum (adjusted OR 1.005, 95% CI 1.001-1.009, P=0.0012) hs-cTnT were independent predictors of major adverse events. Most (95%) increases were due to myocardial injury, with 5% (n = 8) classified as type 1 or 2 myocardial infarction. A single hs-cTnT <6 ng/L identified 26% of patients without mortality, with a 94.9% (95% CI 87.5-98.6) negative predictive value and 93.1% sensitivity (95% CI 83.3-98.1) for major adverse events in those presenting to the ED.
CONCLUSIONS: Myocardial injury is frequent and prognostic in COVID-19. While most hs-cTnT increases are modest and due to myocardial injury, they have important prognostic implications. A single hs-cTnT <6 ng/L at presentation may facilitate the identification of patients with a favorable prognosis.
PMID:33860295 | DOI:10.1093/clinchem/hvab062