PACE - manuscript for review
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vs 21%, p=0.0001), greater need for mechanical ventilation (100% vs 57%, P=0.002), higher positive end expiratory pressure (PEEP) requirements (10 ± 4 vs 5 ± 4, p=0.005), and increased in-hospital mortality (67% vs. 29%, p=0.03). In fact, of the 16 individuals with COVID-19 and a new onset atrial tachyarrhythmia who subsequently died, 12 (75%) had hemodynamic compromise immediately after developing the atrial tachyarrhythmia.
When compared to the 19 COVID- participants who remained hemodynamically stable following atrial tachyarrhythmia onset, the 18 COVID+ participants who developed hemodynamic compromise after atrial tachyarrhythmia onset had a decreased prevalence of past diastolic dysfunction (11% vs. 47%, p=0.02) and coronary artery disease (11% vs. 42%, p=0.03) but a higher serum potassium (4.5 ± 0.4 vs. 4.1 ± 0.6, p=0.02), greater need for vasopressor use (83% vs. 11%, p=0.0001), greater need for mechanical ventilation (100% vs. 16%, p=0.0001), higher PEEP (10 ± 4 vs. 1 ± 3 mm Hg, p=0.0001), higher fraction of inspired oxygen requirements (57 ± 17 vs. 29 ± 6, P=0.0001), and increased in-hospital mortality (67% vs. 29%, p=0.01).Discussion
In this study, critically ill COVID+ and COVID- individuals with new onset atrial tachyarrhythmia had increased in-hospital mortality when compared to those without atrial tachyarrhythmia, although the magnitude of this association was greater for those who were