Covid linked to impaired heart function in critically ill patients, new study shows

Coronavirus doesn’t just affect ventilation but the heart too, says new study

A nurse wearing PPE works on a patient in the ICU (Intensive Care Unit) in St George's Hospital in Tooting, south-west London. (PA)

Coronavirus has been linked to a reduction in the right side of the heart’s ability to pump blood, new research has found.

The study found that one in three critically ill Covid-19 patients had adnormalities in the right side of the heart - the area that pumps blood to the lungs.

The research was carried out in 10 intensive care units in Scotland, and looked at 121 critically ill patients who were having treatment on ventilators.

“We now know that Covid-19 is a problem associated with not just ventilation, but can affect the heart,” a lead author of the study said.

Nearly half of the ventilated patients - 47 percent - died because of coronavirus.

Scientists said the results of the study were particularly important because they would help doctors know what to look out for when treating critically ill Covid-19 patients.

Dr Philip McCall, lead author of the study and consultant at NHS Golden Jubilee, a hospital in Scotland, said: “A combination of factors create the perfect storm for Covid-19 to damage the right side of your heart, which ultimately can cause death.

“If you’re pumping blood to the lungs and the lungs become very sick, you have an additional problem because the lungs are not willing to receive blood.

“This is a very difficult condition to spot, unless you are specifically looking for it. That is why the results of this study are so important.”

Dr Ben Shelley, chief investigator of the study, said: “The study has revealed that there is no doubt Covid-19 affects the heart and has a major impact on outcomes for the patient.

“However, now that we know this actually happens, and have a better understanding of how it affects people, we can plan for the future and put in place new care plans and treatments to help combat this.”

He added: “If we are able to see these warning signs early enough, clinicians can explore the causes of any complications and start new treatments as soon as possible, potentially improving outcomes for the sickest patients with Covid-19.

“This kind of knowledge is invaluable, not only in combatting any future waves of Covid-19, but in planning for future pandemics to allow people to be treated more effectivey.”

Covid-19 is known to cause lung complications such as pneumonia. This causes the lungs to become filled with fluid and inflamed.

In the most severe cases, it can cause acute respiratory distress syndrome. This is when air sacs can become filled with fluid leaking from the tiny blood vessels in the lungs - leading, in the worst cases, to lung failure.