Radiological Imaging in Patients Tested for COVID-19

It has become apparent that patients with co-morbidities have an increased risk of mortality from coronarvirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). However, the impact of subclinical respiratory and cardiovascular disease on the outcome of patients with COVID-19 is currently unknown.

Subclinical respiratory and cardiovascular disease can be identified on radiological imaging. For example, calcification in blood vessels can identify cardiovascular disease, intra-thoracic and intra-abdominal fat is associated with coronary artery disease, and lung diseases can be identified on CT and x-ray. The impact these radiological features on the outcomes of patients with COVID-19 is currently unknown.

This study aims to assess the radiological imaging of patients tested for COVID-19 in order to identify the presence of co-existing respiratory and cardiovascular disease and assess their impact on clinical outcomes.

All patients tested for COVID-19 with current or previous (last 3 years) radiological imaging will be included in this study. Radiological images will be de-identified and assessed for the presence of cardiovascular calcification. Information on COVID-19 tests and clinical factors will be obtained from routinely collected data. Additional clinical information will be obtained from electronic health records as required.