Heart inflammation observed in recently recovered COVID-19 patients: Study
Berlin: An analysis of 100 patients who recently recovered from novel coronavirus infection has revealed that nearly 80 per cent of them have cardiac manifestations of the disease, a finding which indicates the need for further research to understand the long-term consequences of COVID-19.
The study, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, assessed 100 patients who recently recovered from COVID-19 illness from Germany's University Hospital Frankfurt between April and June 2020.
According to the researchers, including those from the hospital, cardiac involvement was observed in 78 patients, and ongoing heart inflammation in 60 individuals.
They said the reported symptoms were independent of preexisting conditions, severity and overall course of the acute illness, and time from the original diagnosis.
In the study, the scientists assessed recent recovery from the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 infection as determined by RT-PCR assays which check for the presence of the virus from swab tests of patients' upper respiratory tract.
The researchers assessed the patients' demographic characteristics, blood markers of heart health, and cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) scans.
They said 53 of the patients were male, and the average age was 49 years.
According to the study, 67 patients recovered at home, while 33 required hospitalisation.
At the time of the heart scan, the scientists said the molecule high-sensitivity troponin T (hsTnT) was detectable in the blood samples of 71 of the 100 patients recently recovered from COVID-19, and significantly elevated in five of them.
They said a total of 78 patients recently recovered from COVID-19 had abnormal CMR scan findings.
The researchers also noted that heart tissue sample analysis in the patients with severe findings showed active inflammation caused by the immune system.
"The results of our study provide important insights into the prevalence of cardiovascular involvement in the early convalescent stage," the scientists wrote in the study.
Citing the limitations of the study, the researchers said the findings are not validated for the use in pediatric patients 18 years and younger.
They added that the research also does not represent patients during acute COVID-19 infection, or those who are completely asymptomatic with the disease.
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Minister Parameshwara says remarks on properties linked to drug peddlers 'misunderstood'
Tumakuru (PTI): Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara on Saturday said his recent remarks on the demolition of properties linked to those involved in narcotics trade were "misunderstood and misinterpreted".
His clarification follows remarks made two days ago on the government's uncompromising crackdown on the drug menace, including action against properties linked to foreign nationals allegedly involved in drug trafficking.
"It is unfortunate. It is taken in the wrong sense. I didn't mean that tomorrow itself I am going to send bulldozers and demolish the houses. That was not my intention. It was wrongly taken," he told reporters here.
Responding to Congress MLC K Abdul Jabbar's question in the legislative council on the growing drug menace in Bengaluru, Davangere and coastal districts, the minister on Thursday detailed the extensive enforcement measures initiated since the Congress government assumed office.
Pointing to the involvement of some foreign nationals, the minister had said, "Many foreign students from African countries have come to Karnataka. They are into the drug business. We catch them and register cases against them, but they want the case to be registered because once the case is registered, we cannot deport them."
"We have gone to the extent of demolishing the rented building where they stay," he had said.
