Influenza infection, Acute myocardial Infarction, Flu Shot during COVID-19 Pandemic in US population. A Review of Literature.

Influenza is a major cause of hospitalization in all age groups but can cause more severe infections in specific high-risk population. Novel Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and Influenza virus infection cause similar illness and coexist. Cardiovascular complications due to influenza are important causes of morbidity and mortality in the US, especially in the elderly population (aged more than 65 years). Acute Myocardial Infarction (AMI) is the most serious among the cardiovascular causes of mortality following the attack of influenza, mainly in patients with various co-morbidities like pre-existing coronary artery disease (CAD), diabetes mellitus (DM), hypertension (HTN), and heart failure (HF). We have reviewed the association between influenza virus infection and AMI and extrapolated the beneficial effects of influenza vaccine in preventing AMI and its grave consequences. We have also highlighted about the importance of flu shot during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Aspirin Use is Associated with Decreased Mortality in Patients with COVID-19: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

BackgroundNovel Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) has resulted in more than three and half million deaths worldwide as of June 6, 2021. The role of aspirin in prevention of COVID-19 mortality has not been much studied. We aimed to study the relationship between aspirin use and covid-19 mortality. MethodsWe searched PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane database for studies from January 2019 till June 6, 2021 with inclusion criteria of RCT, Cohort study, studies reporting mortality, and comparison studies on aspirin versus non-aspirin. Statistical analysis was done with Review Manager 5.4 statistical software using the inverse variance method. We assessed the pooled hazard ratio (HR), and 95% confidence interval using the random effect model and I-squared test was used to determine statistical heterogeneity. ResultsWe included five retrospective cohort studies which met our inclusion criteria with total of 14065 participants in both groups. There were 6797 participants in the aspirin group and 7268 participants in the non-aspirin group. Our results show that the use of aspirin was associated with 53% decrease in mortality compared to non-aspirin in patients with COVID-19 (adjusted HR 0.47, 95% CI 0.35-0.63, P< 0.001, I2= 47%). In the analysis restricted to patients hospitalized for COVID-19, the use of aspirin was associated with a 49% reduction in the risk for in-hospital mortality (adjusted HR 0.51, 95% CI 0.33-0.80, P = 0.004, I2= 39%). ConclusionsOur results show that aspirin is associated with decrease in both overall mortality and in-hospital mortality in patients with COVID-19.