Bevilacqua M, De Togni P, Cattazzo F, et al. - In view of the increasing evidence suggesting the involvement of the cardiovascular system in patients with COVID-19, it appears crucial to evaluate the subclinical cardiac involvement for risk stratification at admission. For this purpose, left ventricular global longitudinal strain (LVGLS) is suggested as possibly valuable.

• Among a total of 87 consecutive patients admitted to the COVID Center, 14 had severe disease leading to orotracheal intubation (OTI) or death, whereas 24 had severe acute respiratory distress syndrome [the ratio between the partial pressure of oxygen and the fraction of inspired oxygen (P/F) < 100].

• Patients with severe disease had significantly impaired LVGLS.

• Using an LVGLS cutoff of −16.1%, researchers identified an independent correlation of LVGLS ≥ −16.1% with a higher risk of severe acute respiratory distress syndrome and OTI/death.

• Overall findings support the value of LVGLS in identifying high-risk patients at the admission, and providing guidance for initiation of early treatment of the admitted patients.