COVID-19 Infection, Vaccination, and Severe Coronary Artery Disease in Türkiye: A Retrospective Analysis.

Abstract

Background: This study addresses a topic that has been explored globally but has not yet been investigated in the Türkiye. Considering that all diseases and treatments may vary due to genetic diversity, the aim is to examine the effects of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine and COVID-19 disease on heart conditions in patients in the Türkiye.

Methods: A total of 1935 patients who underwent angiography were included in the study. Descriptive statistics were provided in terms of numbers and percentages, as well as means and SD.

Results: There was no relationship found between the occurrence of COVID-19 at any time before data collection and the presence of severe coronary artery disease (CAD). Additionally, there was no relationship found between the time elapsed between COVID-19 infection and angiography and the presence of severe CAD among individuals who underwent angiography at a later date (n = 689). Between November 2021 and May 2022 (fifth 6 months) and May 2022 and November 2022 (sixth 6 months), the rates of severe CAD in angiograms conducted compared to the baseline were higher. There was no significant relationship found between the number of doses of messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) vaccine received and the risk of developing severe CAD (P = .139). Similarly, there was no significant relationship found between the number of doses of inactivated vaccine received and the risk of developing severe CAD (P = .382).

Conclusion: In the long term, neither infection nor vaccination increases the risk of cardiovascular disease, regardless of the time elapsed since the COVID-19 infection or the type of vaccination received.