A study led by NHS Golden Jubilee and the University of Glasgow into the effects of COVID-19 on Scottish patients in Intensive Care Units (ICUs) has confirmed evidence that the virus is associated with impaired function of the right side of the heart.

Specialists at NHS Golden Jubilee’s University National Hospital say that these findings could play a vital role in not only saving the lives of COVID-19 patients, but for the care of potentially fatal heart and lung issues generally, as well as helping prepare for any possible future pandemic.

The study carried out in 10 ICUs across the country, examining 121 critically ill patients who were receiving treatment on ventilators due to the impact of Coronavirus on their system.

Lead Author of the study Dr Philip McCall, Honorary clinical senior lecturer at the University of Glasgow and Consultant in Cardiothoracic Anaesthesia and Intensive Care at NHS Golden Jubilee, said:

“A combination of factors create the perfect storm for COVID-19 to damage the right side of your heart, which ultimately can cause death.

“If you’re pumping blood to the lungs and the lungs become very sick, you have an additional problem because the lungs are not willing to receive blood.

“This is a very difficult condition to spot, unless you are specifically looking for it. That is why the results of this study are so important. We now know that COVID-19 is a problem associated with not just ventilation, but can affect the heart.”

Chief Investigator of the study Dr Ben Shelley, Consultant in Anaesthesia and Intensive Care at NHS Golden Jubilee, said:

“The study has revealed that there is no doubt COVID-19 affects the heart and has a major impact on outcomes for the patient.

“However, now that we know this actually happens, and have a better understanding of how it affects people, we can plan for the future and put in place new care plans and treatments to help combat this.

“For example, ultrasound scans can be used differently to focus in on early warning signs and areas we now know to be at risk"

The study was funded by Medical Research Scotland through Dr McCall’s and Dr Shelley’s roles in the Anaesthesia, Critical Care and Peri-Operative Medicine Research Group at University of Glasgow and sponsored and administrated by staff in the Golden Jubilee Research Institute.

The Golden Jubilee University National Hospital, based in Clydebank, has a proven track record in carrying out major studies into heart and lung conditions.