Comparison of ventricular repolarization parameters of Covid-19 patients diagnosed with chest CT and RT-PCR

Abstract

Background and objectives

The aim of the comparison is to evaluate the marker of ventricular repolarization parameters such as QT, QTc, cQT, Tp-e, Tp-e/QT, Tp-e/QTc, Tp-e/JT and Tp-e/JTc ratios and the risk of ventricular arrhtythmias in patients with newly diagnosed Covid-19.

Methods

The study included 2 separate groups. The first one consisted of 96 positive reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) Covid-19 patients and the second one of 106 patients with negative PCR but positive chest computed tomography (CT) findings consistent with Covid-19. We measured QTmax, QTmin, QRS, JT and Tp-e intervals and estimated Tp-e/QT max, Tp- e/QTc max, Tp-e/JT and Tp-e/JTc rates and QTc max, QTc min, cQTd and JTc intervals.

Results

QT max, QT min, JT, cQTd, Tp-e, Tp-e/QT max, Tp-e/QTc max, Tp-e/JT, Tp-e/JTc values were significantly higher in RT-PCR Covid-19 patient group.

Conclusion

Positive RT-PCR Covid-19 patients should be followed more closely, in terms of high ventricular repolarization parameters and preventing ventricular arrhythmias that may develop due to this.

Keywords:

• Covid-19
• electrocardiogram
• ventricular arrhythmia
• repolarization
• QT interval

Acknowledgment

This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).