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Adults hospitalized with severe respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) face a higher risk of heart attack, stroke, and other cardiorespiratory events in the weeks after admission.
A recent study found that myocardial infarction (MI) rates were 2.6 to 8.7 times higher in the first three weeks after an RSV-related hospital stay compared with a control period before infection. The risk peaked during the first week. Stroke rates were 7.4 times higher, while exacerbations of COPD and congestive heart failure (CHF) rose 23 and 12 times, respectively. Rates of arrhythmia increased 16.5 times.
Older Adults at Greater Risk
Patients aged 75 and older experienced the highest risks. In this group, MI rates rose 10.1 times, and CHF exacerbations increased 14.6 times in the first week following RSV hospitalization.
Researchers said these findings show that RSV can trigger serious cardiorespiratory complications, especially in older adults, and add a clinical and economic burden beyond the acute infection.
Preventive Measures and Vaccination
Recent research suggests RSV vaccination reduces the risk of cardiorespiratory hospitalizations. In the US, RSV causes an estimated 100,000 to 150,000 hospitalizations annually among adults aged 60 and older.
The current study was sponsored by Pfizer, which markets the bivalent RSV vaccine Abrysvo. The CDC recommends a single dose for all adults 75 and older and for adults 50–74 who are at increased risk of severe RSV. Studies in Denmark also showed that vaccinated adults were less likely to be hospitalized for cardiorespiratory issues.
Study Details
The study analyzed 11,887 adults hospitalized for RSV using the Optum Market Clarity Dataset. Cardiorespiratory events included MI, stroke, COPD and CHF exacerbations, and arrhythmia. Patients served as their own controls, comparing periods before and after RSV hospitalization.
At 180 days post-hospitalization, event rates declined but remained higher than baseline for stroke. The average patient age was 69, and 61% were women.
Study Limitations
Researchers cautioned that results may not apply to uninsured populations. Using only ICD-10-CM codes could misclassify some events. Limited RSV testing in older adults may have excluded some cases.
