Electrocardiographic markers of increased risk of sudden cardiac death in patients with COVID-19 pneumonia

Abstract

Background: Little is known about the role of ECG markers of increased risk of sudden cardiac death during the acute period of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pneumonia. Objectives: To evaluate ECG markers of sudden cardiac death on admission, including the index of cardiac electrophysiological balance (iCEB) (QTc/QRS) and transmural dispersion of repolarization (TDR) (T from peak to end (Tp-e) interval and Tp-e/QTc), in patients with COVID-19 pneumonia. Patients and methods: This cross-sectional study included 63 patients with newly diagnosed COVID-19 pneumonia who presented to the outpatient clinic or admitted to the respiratory care unit between August 20 and September 15, 2020. Forty-six persons matched for sex and age were selected from data collected before COVID-19 pandemic. Results: QRS and QTc showed a significant prolongation in patients with COVID-19 pneumonia compared to the controls (87 vs. 78, p