The Outcome of COVID-19 Patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction

Objectives

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a rapidly expanding global pandemic resulting in significant morbidity and mortality. COVID-19 patients may present with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). The aim of this study is to conduct detailed analysis on patients with AMI and COVID-19.

Methods

We included all patients admitted with AMI and actively known or found to be COVID-19 positive by PCR between the 4^th February 2020 and the 11^th June 2020 in the State of Qatar. Patients were divided into ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and Non-STE (NSTEMI).

Results

There were 68 patients (67 men and 1 woman) admitted between the 4^th of February 2020 and the 11^th of June 2020 with AMI and COVID-19. The mean age was 49.1±9 years, 46 patients had STEMI and 22 had NSTEMI. 38% had diabetes mellitus, 31% had hypertension, 16% were smokers, 13% had dyslipidemia, and 14.7% had prior cardiovascular disease. Chest pain and dyspnea were the presenting symptoms in 90% and 12% of patients, respectively. Fever (15%) and cough (15%) were the most common COVID-19 symptoms, while the majority had no viral symptoms. Thirty-nine (33 STEMI and 6 NSTEMI) patients underwent coronary angiography, 38 of them had significant coronary disease. In-hospital MACE was low; 1 patient developed stroke and 2 died.

Conclusion

Contrary to previous small reports, in-hospital adverse events were low in this largest cohort of COVID-19 patients presenting with AMI. We hypothesize patient’s demographics and profile including younger age contributed to these findings. Further studies are required to confirm this observation.

Key questions