Study of Biomarkers in the Long-term Impact of Coronavirus Infection in the Cardiorespiratory System: Effect of Hydroxychloroquine / Azithromycin Combined Therapy

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) poses a significant threat to global health. As the disease progresses, a series of acute complications tend to develop in multiple organs. Beyond the supportive care, no specific treatment has been established for COVID-19. The effectiveness, both short-term and long-term, of some promising antivirals, such as the hydroxychloroquine combination with azithromycin, needs to be evaluated. This study aims to investigate the predictive role of cardiac biomarkers and pulmonary symptoms for late complications of COVID-19 coronavirus infection on the heart and lung in patients treated with the hydroxychloroquine / azithromycin combination therapy. Thus, COVID-19 coronavirus patients undergoing hydroxychloroquine / azithromycin combination therapy will be compared to patients not undergoing this therapy. The comparison will be made by the analysis of the relationships between (1) levels of ultrasensitive cardiac troponins collected at the beginning of the infection and cardiac magnetic resonance data in the 3rd and 12th months of troponin collection and (2) findings CT scans and the results of the ergospirometers tests performed in those same periods. It is expected to demonstrate that: (1) cardiac troponin and lung tomographic findings can predict late complications of COVID-19 coronavirus infection in the heart and lung, assessed by cardiac magnetic resonance and ergospirometers one year after the beginning of the infection, and (2) hydroxychloroquine / azithromycin combined therapy can abolish the onset of these complications late. Furthermore, the results may point to the need for more rigorous monitoring of cardiologists and pulmonologists of these patients, due to the risk of hemodynamic complications, arrhythmogenic and respiratory.