Cardiac Imaging in SARS Coronavirus disease-19 [COVID-19]

• Research type

  Research Study

• Full title

  Cardiac Imaging in SARS Coronavirus disease-19 (CISCO-19): A study of the heart, lungs and wellbeing after COVID-19

• IRAS ID

  283886

• Contact name

  Colin Berry

• Contact email

  colin.berry@glasgow.ac.uk

• Sponsor organisation

  NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde

• Duration of Study in the UK

  years, 15 months, days

• Research summary

  One-in-four patients with COVID-19 pneumonia develop life-threatening heart problems. The aim of the study is to evaluate whether COVID-19 infection results in heart injury. We intend to investigate which patients are at risk of heart injury as a result of COVID-19 and why only some patients suffer heart problems as a consequence of the infection.

  Lay summary of study results:

  This study aimed to understand how COVID-19 affects the heart, lungs and kidneys after people leave hospital, and how this relates to ongoing symptoms (often called 'Long COVID') and recovery. The study was sponsored by NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde. One hundred and fifty one participants were recruited from three hospitals within NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde.

  People who had been in hospital with COVID-19 were followed up for up to 12 months after discharge. This included:
  • Scans of the heart, lungs and kidneys
  • Blood tests
  • Questionnaires about physical health, daily functioning and wellbeing
  • Tracking of hospital readmissions and outpatient visits

  Main findings
  Recovery from COVID-19 was associated with a continued health burden:
  • 1 in 7 patients died or were readmitted to hospital
  • Around 2 in 3 patients required outpatient care
  The study found evidence of ongoing problems affecting more that one organ (multisystem injury), particularly the heart and kidneys. Blood tests showed changes linked to heart strain and blood clotting. These findings helped explain why some people reported:
  • Tiredness
  • Reduced physical ability
  • Lower quality of life and wellbeing
  Further findings included:
  • Around 1 in 8 patients had ongoing heart inflammation (myocarditis) after COVID 19
  • Around 1 in 5 patients had scar tissue in the heart
  These results suggest that ongoing inflammation and changes across multiple organs may contribute to Long COVID symptoms.

  What this means
  The study shows that recovery after hospitalised COVID-19 can involve long-term effects on physical and mental health, as well as increased use of healthcare services.
  The findings support:
  • Closer follow up of patients after discharge
  • A more targeted approach to care, including identifying patients who may benefit from additional monitoring or support

  The results have been published in a scientific paper and will be used to inform future research and clinical care.

• REC name

  North of Scotland Research Ethics Committee 2

• REC reference

  20/NS/0066

• Date of REC Opinion

  18 May 2020

• REC opinion

  Favourable Opinion