ABSTRACT
(1) Background: The athlete's heart may develop permanent vessel enlargement. The purpose of our study was to define normal values for coronary artery dimensions of endurance athletes by coronary computed tomography angiography (CTA). (2) Methods: Ninety-eight individuals (56.2 ± 11 years) were included into this retrospective matched case-controlled-study. Endurance athletes had regular training volumes of ≥1 h per unit, ≥3-7 times per week (either cycling, running or mountain-endurance). Athletes were matched for age and gender with sedentary controls using propensity score. Quantitative CTA analysis included coronary vessel dimensions (two diameters and area) of the LM, LAD, CX and RCA for all AHA-16-segments. (3) Results: Proximal LAD area and diameter (p = 0.019); proximal/mid CX (diameter and area; p = 0.026 and p = 0.018/p = 0.008 and p = 0.009); mid RCA diameter and area; and proximal RCA diameter were significantly larger in endurance athletes (p < 0.05). The left main area (p = 0.708) and diameter (p = 0.809) as well as the mid LAD and distal segments were not different. We present the histograms and data for normal values ±1 and ± 2 SD. (4) Conclusions: Endurance athletes have larger proximal LAD, proximal/mid CX and RCA vessel dimensions, while LM and distal segments are similar. Hence, dilated coronary arteries in endurance athletes ("Athlete's arteries") have to be distinguished from diffuse ectatic segments developing during Kawasaki disease or multisystemic inflammation syndrome after COVID-19.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Since the first documented outbreak of a novel severe acute respiratory syndrome inducing Coronavirus in China at the end of 2019 the virus has spread to all continents, leading the WHO to declare a pandemic in March 2020. While this virus primarily targets the alveoli in the lungs, multiple authors have described an increased rate of thrombo-embolic events in affected patients. We present this case of a myocardial infarction with no obstructive coronary atherosclerosis in an otherwise healthy 48-year-old patient. CASE SUMMARY: A 48-year-old female, presenting with chest pain radiating to her left shoulder with no cardiovascular risk factors other than genetic predisposition, was screened for Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and tested positive. Although computed tomography angiography excluded obstructive coronary heart disease, cardiac magnetic resonance imaging showed an acute myocardial infarction with no obstructive coronary arteries of the inferior wall. The patient was treated with dual anti-platelet therapy, an angiotensin-converting-enzyme inhibitor and a statin, and assigned to a cardiac rehabilitation program. CONCLUSION: We report a serious thrombo-embolic event during an oligosymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection in a healthy, young patient. While these two diseases may have occurred simultaneously, by chance, it is possible that the pro-thrombotic effects of the SARS-CoV-2 infection facilitated the infarction. This case further demonstrates the significant cardiovascular morbidity potentially caused by SARS-CoV-2.