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BACKGROUND: Several phenomena may point to potentially detrimental cardiac effects of endurance exercise, such as elevated circulating cardiac troponin levels and reductions in systolic and diastolic function directly after marathon completion. Furthermore, while myocardial abnormalities have been reported in patients who recovered from COVID-19, the cardiac impact of extensive endurance exercise in individuals who recovered from COVID-19 remains unknown. We therefore aim to investigate (potentially detrimental) cardiac effects of first-time marathon training and participation, including a subset of participants who recovered from COVID-19, in apparently healthy middle-aged men. STUDY DESIGN: This exploratory prospective cohort study investigates cardiac effects of first-time marathon running in 24 middle-aged (35-50 years) healthy men. Primary outcomes are cardiac morphological changes from pre-training up to 1 month after marathon completion, measured with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at 4 time points: 1) baseline (4 months before the marathon), 2) pre-marathon (2 weeks before the marathon), 3) post-marathon (<â¯24â¯h post-marathon), and 4) recovery (4 weeks after the marathon). Secondary parameters include other cardiac or non-cardiac changes: 1) quantitative MRI myocardial mapping, including mean diffusivity and extracellular volume fraction, 2) echocardiographic morphology and function changes, 3) VO2max, 4) electrocardiogram changes, and 5) levels of cardiac biomarkers. DISCUSSION: This study will contribute to our understanding of cardiac adaptations and maladaptations to first-time marathon running in middle-aged men, and the interaction between extreme endurance exercise and potential detrimental cardiac effects, also in the context of COVID-19. Results will inform on future research directions while providing new clinical insights for health professionals involved in athlete care.
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Background/Introduction: SARS-CoV-2 (subclinical) myocarditis has been demonstrated in up to 5% in athletes, and is currently a topic being intensively investigated. However, more subtle changes in function and volumetric parameters have been less well documented, especially in elite athletes, who perform at the highest levels of sports, with potentially the most outspoken adaptation. Purpose: To determine differences in cardiac function and volumetric parameters using cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) in elite athletes recovered from a SARS-CoV-2 infection as compared to non-infected elite athletes (controls). Methods: We included elite athletes from the ELITE (Evaluation of Lifetime Intensive Top-level sports and Exercise) cohort, who voluntary undergo cardiovascular pre-participation screenings, which includes cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR). SARS-CoV-2 infection was diagnosed with a positive-PCR or antibody test (if unvaccinated). The primary outcome was the incidence of structural cardiac changes on CMR, defined as LV/RV BSA indexed-EDV (EDVi), LV/RV BSA indexed-ESV (ESVi), LV/RV EF, presence of pathological late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) (excluding hinge point fibrosis), and T1 times. Results: We included 234 elite athletes, mean age 27 (±7), 39% female, with main athletic disciplines (≥10 hours/week) of cycling (24%), field hockey (13%), and water polo (12%). In total 69 elite athletes had documented SARS-CoV-2 infection, and 165 were documented as not exposed to SARS-CoV-2. The majority reported mild symptoms 61/69 (88%), 1/69 (1%) severe symptoms, and 7/69 (11%) no symptoms. Mean time between infection and CMR was 2.8 (±2) months. CMR showed no significant difference between elite athletes with SARS-CoV-2 and without (Table) in mean LVEDVi (117±19 vs 120±19 ml/m2, p=0.29), LVESVi (50.6±11 vs 53.2±11 ml/m2, p=0.12), LVEF (56.9% ±5 vs 55.8% ±5, p=0.14), RVEDVi (120±20 vs 122±19 ml/m2, p=0.56), RVESVi (54.5±11 vs 56.2±11 ml/m2, p=0.29), and RVEF (54.6% ±4 vs 53.9% ±5, p=0.23). In 4/69 (4.7%) vs 1/165 (1.3%) pathological non-ischemic pattern of myocardial LGE was present (≤20% of total LV mass), of which one athlete (1.2%) showed increased T1 time, all with no deterioration in right and left ventricle function and volumetric parameters (Figure) after SARS-CoV-2 infection. All athletes made a full recovery and returned to elite competitive sports. Conclusion(s): This cross-sectional study of elite athletes demonstrates that infection with SARS-CoV-2 is not associated with deterioration in cardiac function and volumetric parameters on CMR compared with non-infected athletes, also in the small subset of athletes with pathological LGE patterns after SARS-CoV-2 infection. Prospective studies with long-term follow-up are needed to establish whether intensive sports is associated with long-term cardiac deleterious effects in elite athletes exposed to SARS-CoV-2. Funding Acknowledgement: Type of funding sources: Foundation. Main funding source(s): Dutch Heart FoundationDutch National Olympic Committee & National Sports Federation (NOC*NSF)
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Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: Other. Main funding source(s): Dutch National Olympic Committee & National Sports Federation (NOC*NSF) Dutch Heart Foundation Background/Introduction Active myocarditis is regarded as an absolute contra-indication to competitive sports. Subclinical SARS-CoV-2 myocarditis/myocardial damage has been demonstrated 2-5% in athletes. However, the prognosis in elite athletes after SARS-CoV-2 cardiac involvement, with potentially detrimental effects on recovery, is currently unknown. Purpose We aimed to investigate the prevalence and clinical course of cardiac abnormalities in elite athletes after SARS-CoV-2 infection. Methods We retrospectively and prospectively included elite athletes in the COMMIT (COvid-19 Myocardial Manifestations in Intensive Top-level sports) cohort. Outcomes of interest were 1) incidence and clinical course of cardiac abnormalities on CMR, defined as reduced EF, increased EDV, presence of late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) (excluding hinge point fibrosis), increased T1 and/or T2 time);2) clinically important arrhythmias defined as premature ventricular complex, (non-)sustained ventricular tachycardia on exercise ECG or 4-8 days Holter monitoring;3) cardiac- symptoms/ events. SARS-CoV-2 infection was diagnosed with a positive- PCR or antibody test if unvaccinated. Results We included 85 elite SARS-CoV-2 recovered athletes (34% women), mean age 26.5 (±7) years, with main athletic disciplines (≥10 hours/week) football (27%), cycling (12%), water polo (9%), field hockey (9%), and rowing (8%). Mean time between infection and CMR was 2.6 months (±3). Mean CMR LVEDV/BSA was 120.6 ml/m2 (±21), LVEF 57.3% (±5), RVEDV/BSA 126.2 ml/m2 (±22), RVEF 54% (±4), and 1/85 (1.2%) showed increased T1 time after infection. In 4/85 (4.7%) myocardial LGE was present (Figure 1 and 2). In cases with LGE, after 11 (±2) months of follow-up, one demonstrated complete resolution (i.e. no LGE present) after 3 months. One case showed persistent inflammation on three sequential CMRs (1, 3, 6 months post-COVID-19);at 9 months CMR demonstrated no inflammation, but persistent LGE. Two elite athletes had unchanged LGE, one at 3 months, and one at 5 and 9 months. No clinically important arrhythmias were found in athletes with LGE. At a mean follow-up of 7.8 (±3.3) months, no symptoms/events were reported, and all had returned to sports. Pre-/post-SARS-CoV-2 infection CMR was available in 13/85 athletes;in this subgroup, no pathologic LGE or clinically important changes in ventricular volumes/function were found. Conclusion This longitudinal cohort of elite athletes demonstrates that infection with SARS-CoV-2 is associated with 4.7% of myocardial abnormalities, with varying clinical courses. There were no important arrhythmias, and we found no evidence of deleterious effects of sports after COVID-19. Prospective studies with comprehensive arrhythmia monitoring and long-term follow-up are needed to establish whether intensive sports is associated with long-term deleterious cardiac effects. Figure 1. Figure 2.
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Background/Introduction: The prognosis of peri-and myocarditis can be negatively influenced by intensive exercise and sports. Therefore sustained cardiac involvement after recovery from COVID-19 in athletes is of particular relevance for the prevention of sudden cardiac arrest/sudden cardiac death (SCA/SCD). To date, only small sample-size studies are available, or studies predominantly focusing on hospitalized and severely ill patients. We aimed to address this knowledge gap in a comprehensive, systematic review of peri-/myocardial involvement after SARS-CoV-2 infection in athletes versus healthy non-athletes. Purpose: Quantification of peri-/myocardial involvement and risks of SCA/SCD after SARS-CoV-2 infection in athletes as compared with healthy non-athletes. Methods: We performed a systematic search with a combination of key terms in Medline (Ovid), Embase (Ovid) and Scopus (through March 8th 2021). To capture potential non-peer-reviewed COVID-19 SCA/SCD reports we performed monthly scoping internet searches. Inclusion criteria: athletes/non-athletes, with cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) or echocardiography after recovery from SARS-CoV-2 infection, including arrhythmia outcomes. Exclusion criteria: study population ≥1 individual comorbidity and mean age <18/>64 years. Results: We included 16 manuscripts (933 papers reviewed) comprising 1129 athletes (284 college/student-, 807 professional-and 38 elite athletes) and 382 healthy non-athletes. Athletes vs non-athletes reported myocarditis on echocardiography and/or CMR in 0-15% vs 45-60%, LGE in 0-46% vs 0-74% (Figure 1), and pericardial effusion in 8-58% vs 0-47% (Figure 2). Weighted means of diagnosed myocarditis were 3% in athletes (3.5% college/student-, and 0% elite athletes) and 56.6% in non-athletes. No important arrhythmias were reported. Systematic internet query identified 2 collapsed post-COVID-19 athletes during exercise, 1 lethal. Ten studies (n=1301) reporting post-recovery troponin T/I found no clear relationship with cardiac abnormalities. Summary/Conclusions: Rates of peri-/myocardial abnormalities in athletes/ healthy non-athletes after SARS-CoV-2 infection are variable, ranging from 0-74%, and predominantly seen on CMR. Athletes have a lower risk of peri-/myocardial involvement, and myocarditis (0-3.5% vs 56.5%) than non-athletes after SARS-CoV-2 infection. Risks of SCA/SCD appear low, but data are lacking. Troponin screenings seems unreliable to identify athletes at risk for myocardial involvement. Prospective studies, with pre-COVID-19 imaging (CMR), in athletes, including follow-up and arrhythmia monitoring, are urgently needed.
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The ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) crisis is having a large impact on acute and chronic cardiac care. Due to public health measures and the reorganisation of outpatient cardiac care, traditional centre-based cardiac rehabilitation is currently almost impossible. In addition, public health measures are having a potentially negative impact on lifestyle behaviour and general well-being. Therefore, the Working Group of Cardiovascular Prevention and Rehabilitation of the Dutch Society of Cardiology has formulated practical recommendations for the provision of cardiac rehabilitation during the COVID-19 pandemic, by using telerehabilitation programmes without face-to-face contact based on current guidelines supplemented with new insights and experiences.
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The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has led to preventive measures worldwide. With the decline of infection rates, less stringent restrictions for sports and exercise are being implemented. COVID-19 is associated with significant cardiovascular complications; however there are limited data on cardiovascular complications and long-term outcomes in both competitive (elite) athletes and highly active individuals. Based on different categories of disease severity (asymptomatic, regional/systemic symptoms, hospitalisation, myocardial damage, and/or myocarditis), in this point-of-view article we offer the (sports) cardiologist or sports physician in the Netherlands a practical guide to pre-participation screening, and diagnostic and management strategies in all athletes >16 years of age after COVID-19 infection.