A Multiple-Center, Retrospective Study of Characteristics and Outcomes of Hospitalized COVID-19 Patients with Cardiovascular Disease in North Iran

BACKGROUND: In this retrospective study, we investigated the outcomes and demographic characteristics of COVID-19 patients with and without a history of CVD. METHODS: This large retrospective, multicenter study was performed on inpatients with suspected COVID-19 pneumonia who were admitted across four hospitals in Babol, Northern Iran. Demographic data, clinical data, and cycle threshold value (Ct) results of Real Time PCR were obtained. Then, participants were divided into two groups: (1) cases with CVDs, (2) cases without CVDs. RESULTS: A total of 11097 suspected COVID-19 cases with a mean ± SD age of 53 ±25.3 (range: 0 to 99) years were involved in the present study. Out of whom 4599 (41.4%) had a positive RT-PCR result. Of those, 1558 (33.9%) had underlying CVD. Patients with CVD had significantly more co-morbidities such as hypertension, kidney disease, and diabetes. Moreover, 187 (12%) and 281 (9.2%) of patients with and without CVD died, respectively. Also, mortality rate was significantly high among the three groups of Ct value in patients with CVD, with the highest mortality in those with Ct between 10 and 20 (Group A = 19.9%). CONCLUSIONS: In summary, our results highlight that CVD is a major risk factor for hospitalization and the severe consequences of COVID-19. Death in CVD group is significantly higher compared to non-CVD. In addition, the results show that age-related diseases can be a serious risk factor for the severe consequences of COVID-19.