Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team Jan 17, 2025 17 hours, 14 minutes ago
Medical News: A recent study conducted by researchers from Beijing Anzhen Hospital and the Beijing Academy of Science and Technology, China, explores a fascinating aspect of the COVID-19 pandemic - the link between hematological parameters and palpitations in mild COVID-19 cases. The study examines how mild infections impact cardiovascular symptoms without causing significant myocardial damage. This
Medical News report unpacks their findings to help non-specialists understand their broader implications.
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Mild COVID-19 Causes Palpitations and Altered Hematological Parameters
The Study Background and Objectives
COVID-19, caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, has manifested differently across patients, ranging from asymptomatic cases to severe conditions leading to organ failure and death. While extensive research has been conducted on severe cases, the effects of mild COVID-19 on the cardiovascular system remain less understood. Palpitations, or the feeling of a racing or pounding heart, have been reported even in mild cases.
The researchers aimed to investigate whether these palpitations indicate myocardial injury or result from other physiological changes. The team analyzed data from the Beijing Anzhen Hospital outpatient department during the mass COVID-19 outbreak of 2022, comparing it with data from similar periods in 2020 and 2021 when COVID-19 cases were less prevalent.
Methods and Patient Selection
The researchers included outpatients who tested positive for COVID-19 during the 2022 outbreak (December 8, 2022, to January 17, 2023) and compared them with three control groups from 2020, 2021, and the earlier part of 2022. The primary inclusion criteria were mild COVID-19 symptoms and recent onset palpitations, without pre-existing heart conditions or other major illnesses. Patients underwent blood tests to measure routine hematological parameters, coagulation factors, and myocardial markers.
Key Findings of the Study
-Spike in Palpitations During the Pandemic
The proportion of patients reporting palpitations increased nearly fivefold during the 2022 outbreak. This rise highlights the potential cardiovascular impacts of mild COVID-19 infections. Unlike in previous years, these cases were more common among younger adults and those without a history of severe illness. Notably, the frequency of palpitations declined within weeks after recovery, suggesting a transient physiological response rather than lasting damage.
-No Evidence of Myocardial Injury
A critical finding was that myocardial markers, such as creatine kinase (CK), myoglobin (MYO), and high-sensitivity troponin I (hs-TnI), remained within normal ranges for most patients. This suggests that the palpitations were not linked to heart muscle damage. The study authors reviewed additional clinical data, including electrocardiograms and imaging tests, to confirm that patients did not experience myocardial injury.
-Altered Hematological
Parameters
Despite the lack of myocardial injury, researchers observed significant changes in blood parameters among COVID-19 patients:
-Coagulation Markers: Elevated levels of D-dimer and fibrinogen degradation products (FDP) were found in a larger proportion of patients, indicating a potential activation of the coagulation system. Younger patients showed a mild elevation, while older adults exhibited more pronounced increases.
-White Blood Cell (WBC) Count: A shift in white blood cell composition was noted, with higher neutrophil and monocyte counts and lower lymphocyte levels. This pattern is consistent with the body’s immune response to viral infections.
-Platelets (PLT): Platelet counts were higher in COVID-19 patients, potentially reflecting increased platelet activation. This could explain the heightened risk of clot formation, even in mild cases.
Implications for Clinical Practice
The findings suggest that the palpitations observed in mild COVID-19 cases are unlikely to stem from direct cardiac injury. Instead, they might result from transient inflammatory or coagulative changes. As such, physicians should focus less on myocardial markers and more on monitoring coagulation factors, especially in older adults. Anticoagulant therapy could be beneficial in preventing complications such as thrombosis.
Limitations of the Study
While comprehensive, this study had limitations. It relied on retrospective data from a single medical center, potentially introducing selection bias. Additionally, the lack of mechanistic research means that the exact cause of palpitations remains speculative. Future studies should include larger, multi-center cohorts and investigate the molecular basis of these changes.
Conclusions and Takeaways
The study provides valuable insights into the transient cardiovascular effects of mild COVID-19 infections. Key conclusions include:
-Palpitations in mild COVID-19 cases do not indicate myocardial injury, as evidenced by normal myocardial marker levels.
-Changes in hematological parameters, including elevated D-dimer and FDP levels, suggest a temporary activation of the coagulation system.
-Clinicians should prioritize monitoring coagulation factors over myocardial markers in mild cases.
-The observed palpitations are likely a temporary phenomenon linked to the immune and inflammatory responses to the virus.
In conclusion, this research underscores the importance of tailored diagnostic approaches for COVID-19 patients. By shifting focus from cardiac injury to coagulation markers, healthcare providers can better manage and prevent complications. The findings highlight the resilience of the cardiovascular system in mild infections and provide reassurance to patients experiencing temporary symptoms.
The study findings were published in the peer-reviewed Journal of Clinical Laboratory Analysis.
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/jcla.25137
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Read Also:
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/study-reveals-lasting-heart-damage-linked-to-inflammation-in-long-covid-patients
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/breaking-john-hopkin-s-study-alarmingly-discovers-that-up-to-43-percent-of-post-covid-19-individuals-have-persistent-cardiovascular-issues
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/guide-to-myocarditis-a-dangerous-heart-condition-affecting-up-to-78-percent-of-covid-19-infected-symptomatic-or-asymptomatic-individuals
https://www.thailandmedical.news/articles/coronavirus
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