Postinfection, cardiac magnetic resonance imaging revealed disquieting findings in a small study of mostly asymptomatic athletes.
The cardiac effects of COVID-19 are the subject of growing concern. These investigators used cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) to determine the presence of myocardial inflammation in 26 competitive athletes who had tested positive for COVID-19.
The athletes had a mean age of 20, and 58% were men; the sports included basketball, football, lacrosse, soccer, and track. No athlete was hospitalized or treated for COVID-19. Most were asymptomatic; over one fourth had mild symptoms. The study was conducted 11 to 53 days after athletes' positive COVID-19 tests. Electrocardiography did not show diagnostic changes, and ventricular volumes and function were normal. No athlete had an elevated troponin level.
On CMR, four athletes (15%) had myocarditis, ba…
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DisclosuresConsultant/Advisory BoardUnited Healthcare; Element Science; Eyedentifeye, F-Prime
EquityHugo Health; Refactor Health; Element Science
Grant/Research SupportPfizer; Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality; Janssen Research and Development, National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Engineering; National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; National Cancer Institute; American Heart Association
DisclosuresConsultant/Advisory BoardUnited Healthcare; Element Science; Eyedentifeye, F-Prime
EquityHugo Health; Refactor Health; Element Science
Grant/Research SupportPfizer; Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality; Janssen Research and Development, National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Engineering; National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; National Cancer Institute; American Heart Association