Methods:
The study was conducted between March 15, 2020 to April 15, 2020 during
the COVID-19 pandemic in three different hospitals in Northern New
Jersey, USA, which continues to be one of the COVID-19 hotspots in the
United states. We included in our study patients who were COVID positive
by polymerase chain reaction test (PCR) and had echocardiogram done
during the same admission. Due to the high risk to the sonographers for
exposure, echocardiography was performed only on patients where it was
expected to alter management and to identify possible complications. All
of the studies were performed in patient rooms on medical floors and
intensive care units to decrease the risk of spread of infection while
moving patients. The equipment was cleaned pre and post procedures as
per guidelines set up by the infectious disease control of the hospital.
All echocardiographic parameters were obtained as recommended by
American Society of echocardiography (ASE). The echocardiographic
findings were interpreted by a board certified cardiologist. Historical
and laboratory data was obtained retrospectively from electronic medical
record review.