Abstract
Introduction: Relative bradycardia(RB) is a relatively low heart rate
response to rise in body temperature that occurs in several infectious
diseases and can be an important clinical sign. In previous case
reports, RB was presented in some patients with COVID-19. Objective and
Methods: To investigate the correlation between temperature and heart
rate, we retrospectively reviewed 249 febrile patients with documented
COVID-19 patients. RB was defined as a rise in the heart rate (HR) from
a basal HR of less than 10 beats/minute/°C rise in temperature. Results:
In this study, the prevalence of RB in patients with COVID-19 was
60.6%. When the HR at peak temperatures for patients with COVID-19 were
compared with reference valve (general temperature-heart rate response
in infectious disease), our findings demonstrate a relatively lower
heart rate at all peak temperatures recorded. Despite differences in HR
response, there were not significant differences in clinical outcomes
(pulmonary manifestation, ICU care, Death). Conclusion: Most patients
with COVID-19 are associated with relative bradycardia, not related to
clinical outcomes. RB in COVID-19 can be considered as the clinical
features for differential diagnosis from other febrile conditions.