Lengthening of the descending branch of the T wave and an abnormal dbT/jT index on the electrocardiogram as poor prognostic factors in patients with COVID-19 in intensive care

Abstract

Proposition: dbT lengthening and the Tp-Te interval index on the electrocardiogram can improve the detection of left ventricular hypertrophy and dysfunction. These abnormalities are found in conditions other than hypertension, and their presence is associated with a worse prognosis.

Objective: to evaluate dbT lengthening and/or the dbT/jT index in patients with COVID-19 treated in the ICU, as poor prognostic factors.

Materials and method: an observational, descriptive, retrospective cross-sectional study. Twenty patients with COVID-19 admitted to the ICU, with an EKG, were included, measuring dbT, calculating the dbT/jT index and relating them to the number of deaths and days of ICU stay.

Results: the most appropriate leads for measurement were V2-V3 and V4. A dbT ≥ 93 milliseconds in V2 and V4 was found in 60% of the patients, with a higher number of deaths; a dbT/jT index ≥ 0.40 was found in 45% of the cases and was related to a trend toward more hospital days Conclusions: both patients with a dbT ≥ 93 ms and those with a dbT/jT index ≥ 0.40 in the V2- V4 electrocardiographic leads tended to have longer hospitalizations as well as more deaths.