Echocardiographic Findings
Indications for echocardiography are demonstrated in figure 1b. Median
time between admission and echocardiography was 5 days (IQR1-10) (Figure
1c). Most common indications for echocardiography were evaluation for
cardiac size and function. LV function was categorized as less than or
greater than 45%. RV function was classified as normal versus dilated
and function was classified as normal versus reduced. The overall LV EF
was preserved at 55% and 20%% patients who had
LVEF< 45%. RV dilation and dysfunction were seen in
33% and 21% patients respectively. A dilated or dysfunctional RV was
found in 39.4% patients. Pericardial effusion was found in 13% of
patients. (Table 4)
Patients with RV dilation/dysfunction had significantly higher peak
troponin T of 0.05 (IQR 0.01-0.16) compared to those without (peak trop
T 0.01 (IQR 0.00-0.05); p<0.0001. They also had higher levels
of pro BNP (4618 vs. 2092), CRP (26.2 vs. 22), ferritin (1577 vs. 1170)
and D-Dimer (12553 vs 5570) compared to those without RV dilation or
dysfunction. Patients with LV dysfunction (EF<45%) had higher
levels of d-dimer, pro BNP and troponin T compared to those without LV
dysfunction.