Clinical Prognosis of Pericardial Effusion in COVID 19

Purpose In our study, we investigated the relationship between pneumonia severity and pericardial effusion, predisposing factors and the effect of pericardial effusion on clinical prognosis and mortality in COVID-19 patients. Methods A total of 3794 patients who were diagnosed with COVID- 19 by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), were hospitalized between March 21 and November 30, 2020 were included in the study. For each of the 3794 patients, the initial chest CT images, pericardial efusion (PE), pleural efusion and pneumonia severity were evaluated. Results The mean age of patients with PE was higher and it was more common in males. Patients with PE had more comorbid diseases and significantly elevated serum cardiac and inflammatory biomarkers. In addition, the need for intensive care and mortality rates were higher in these patients. While the in-hospital mortality rate was 56.9% in patients with PE and AC involvement above 50%, in-hospital mortality rate was 34.4% in patients with AC involvement above 50% and without PE (p < 0.001). Conclusions In patients presenting with severe AC involvement on CT or being followed up with COVID-19 pneumonia, PE often accompanies the deterioration in the laboratories and clinics of the patients. The clinical prognosis in patients presenting with PE was quite poor, and the frequency of intensive care admissions and mortality were significantly higher. In conclusion, in our study, PE emerged as an important finding in the follow-up and management of patients with COVID-19 and reflects the clinical prognosis.