Hyperdynamic left ventricular ejection fraction is associated with higher mortality in COVID-19 patients.

Study Objective: To compare the characteristics and outcomes of COVID-19 patients with a hyperdynamic LVEF (HDLVEF) to those with a normal or reduced LVEF.
Design: Retrospective study.
Setting: Rush University Medical Center.
Participants: Of the 1682 adult patients hospitalized with COVID-19, 419 had a transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE) during admission and met study inclusion criteria.
Interventions: Participants were divided into reduced (LVEF < 50%), normal (≥50% and <70%), and hyperdynamic (≥70%) LVEF groups.
Main Outcome Measures: LVEF was assessed as a predictor of 60-day mortality. Logistic regression was used to adjust for age and BMI.
Results: There was no difference in 60-day mortality between patients in the reduced LVEF and normal LVEF groups (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 0.87, p  = 0.68). However, patients with an HDLVEF were more likely to die by 60 days compared to patients in the normal LVEF group (aOR 2.63 [CI: 1.36-5.05]; p  < 0.01). The HDLVEF group was also at higher risk for 60-day mortality than the reduced LVEF group (aOR 3.34 [CI: 1.39-8.42]; p < 0.01).
Conclusion: The presence of hyperdynamic LVEF during a COVID-19 hospitalization was associated with an increased risk of 60-day mortality, the requirement for mechanical ventilation, vasopressors, and intensive care unit.
Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.
(© 2022 The Authors.)