Cardiac dysfunction and final outcome in correlation with serum cortisol level in active pulmonary tuberculosis: A single-center experience

Introduction: Although cardiac involvement is extremely rare in tuberculosis (TB), cardiac dysfunction is not uncommon. We have studied the prevalence of cardiac dysfunction in pulmonary TB with special emphasis on echocardiography, serum cortisol, and its correlation in cases with unstable cardiorespiratory parameters. Methods: A prospective observational and interventional study conducted in Pulmonary Medicine, MIMSR Medical College and Venkatesh Chest Hospital, Latur, India during July 2015 to December 2020, which included 800 cases of active pulmonary TB confirmed microscopically or with GeneXpert MTB/RIF, documented MTB genome in respiratory specimens’ sputum/induced sputum and bronchoscopy-guided bronchial wash, or bronchoalveolar lavage whenever necessary. Cases with known risk factors for cardiac disease and taking cardiac medicines and cases with pericardial effusion were excluded from study. Disproportionate tachycardia and tachypnea with or without shock and hypoxia were the key entry point criteria in this study. Chest radiograph, pulse oximetry, electrocardiography (ECG), sputum examination, cardiac enzyme studies (creatine phosphokinase MB [CPK-MB] and cardiac troponins), serum cortisol test, and echocardiography are done in all study cases during enrollment at 2 and 6 months of treatment with anti-TB medicines. Statistical analysis was carried out by chi-square test. Observations and analysis: Of the 800 cases with active pulmonary TB, cardiac dysfunction was documented in 26% cases, 44% were females, and 56% cases were older than 50 years. Echocardiographic abnormalities were documented such as global hypokinesia in 62% cases; depressed left ventricular systolic and diastolic function in 44 and 28% cases, respectively; dilated right atrium and right ventricle in 32% cases; and pulmonary hypertension in 6% cases. Serum cortisol level was significantly lower in cases with cardiac dysfunction (P < 0.00001). Hypoxia had significant association with right and left heart dysfunction (P < 0.00001). Cachexia, anemia, and hypoalbuminemia were documented to have significant association with cardiac dysfunction (P < 0.00001). Treatment outcome showed significant improvement in cardiac function (P < 0.00001). Coronary angiography did not show significant coronary artery lesions, and computed tomography (CT) pulmonary angiography did not show pulmonary embolism. Conclusion: Cardiac dysfunction in active pulmonary TB is underestimated and less evaluated routinely; disproportionate tachycardia and tachypnea with or without shock are clinical indicators to suspect early, especially in cases with risk factors such as advanced pulmonary TB on chest radiograph, cachexia with body mass index (BMI) <18, advanced age, females, cases with anemia, and hypoalbuminemia. Echocardiography shows “global hypokinesia” as a predominant cardiac dysfunction in study cases, and right or left heart dysfunction depends on with or without hypoxia, respectively. Serum cortisol measurement will help in majority of the cases and a proportionate number of cases were having associated adrenal suppression.