Abstract
Background: Increased mortality and occurrence of cardiovascular (CV) outcomes during hospitalization and in short-term follow-up for moderate to severe SARS-CoV-2 infection have been associated with male sex, yet data regarding long-term outcomes by sex and COVID-19 variant (Alpha, Delta, and Omicron) are limited. Methods: This prospective study of 4882 patients examines potential differences by sex in the occurrence of primary combined cardiovascular outcomes (CV death, CV hospitalization, myocardial infarction (MI), stroke, pulmonary embolism) as well as secondary outcomes (CV death, cardiovascular hospitalizations, myocardial infarction, stroke, pulmonary embolism) at 18-month follow-up after urgent hospitalization for SARS-CoV-2-associated pneumonia, as well as evaluating for differences during the three COVID-19 waves. Survival rate was analyzed for the entire cohort by sex and SARS-CoV-2 variant and adjusted for age using the multiple Kaplan-Meier method. To compare survival in groups of men and women for each wave, the Gehan-Wilcoxon test was applied with significance p < 0.05. Univariate Cox proportional hazards models were used to search for potential risk factors of CV death at 18-months follow-up separately for men and women in each COVID-19 wave. Results: Men had significantly higher 18-month CV mortality compared to women in the Delta wave (6.13% men vs. 3.62% women, p = 0.017). Although men had higher percentages of all other CV endpoints (excepting pulmonary embolism) at follow-up during the Delta wave, none were significant compared with women, except for the combined CV endpoint (16.87% men vs. 12.61% women, p = 0.017). No significant differences by sex in CV outcomes were seen during the Alpha and Omicron variants. Discrepancies in CV outcomes in demographical data and concomitant disease between the COVID-19 variants of concern existed. Conclusions: Higher male mortality and higher but non-significant incidences of CV outcomes occurred during the Delta wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, with the lowest incidence of CV outcomes observed during the Omicron variant.