IMPACT OF THE PREVIOUS 2019 NOVEL CORONAVIRUS INFECTION ON THE STRUCTURAL AND FUNCTIONAL PARAMETERS OF THE RIGHT HEART AND ON PULMONARY HEMODYNAMICS IN PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE

Abstract

Abstract. Introduction. This paper presents the interim results of a prospective clinical study, in which we studied the long-term influence of 2019 novel coronavirus infection (2019-nCoV) on pulmonary-cardiac relationships in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Aim: Studying the effect provided by the previous 2019-nCoV on the structural and functional parameters of the right ventricle of the heart and on pulmonary hemodynamics in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Materials and Methods. Over the years 2021-2023, we examined 43 patients with stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, having a history of 2019-nCoV by transthoracic echocardiography. The study consisted of two control points: on day 8-12 in the hospital and the follow-up visit to the clinic 12 months after 2019-nCoV. The study included a control group of 30 stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients having no 2019-nCoV history. Results and Discussion. We found that the structural and functional strains of the right heart are aggravated in the acute period of 2019-nCoV in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Thus, as compared to the control group, the maximum right atrium width (p<0.05), right ventricle anterior wall thickness (p<0.05), and basal right ventricle diameter values were significantly higher. Echocardiographic signs of right ventricle diastolic dysfunction Type 1 were found in 36,3% of cases and Type 2 in 23.3%. Pulmonary artery diameter and mean pulmonary artery pressure were higher than in those of the control group, as well. In 44% of patients, the value of pulmonary artery acceleration time was less than 105 ms (χ2 = 4.59; p<0.05). Persistently high linear and volumetric right atrium and right ventricle indicators were registered in patients after 12 months of follow-up. Signs of the Type 1 diastolic dysfunction were found in 62.7% of patients. There was a tendency to decrease the mean pulmonary artery pressure and pulmonary artery acceleration time values. Conclusions. Thus, according to echocardiography, the combination of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and 2019-nCoV leads to the aggravation of right ventricle diastolic dysfunction and the progression of pulmonary hypertension. These signs persisted for a long time (12 months).