Myocarditis in the Athlete A Focus on COVID-19 Sequelae

• Type of Material: Article
• Authors: John D Symanski, Sanger Heart & Vascular Institute, Atrium Health; Jason V. Tso, Emory University; Dermont M Phelan, Sanger Heart & Vascular Institute, Atrium Health; Jonathan Kim, Emory University
• Language: English
• Date: 2022-07-01
• Publisher: W B SAUNDERS CO-ELSEVIER INC
• Publication Version: Final Published Version
• Copyright Statement: © 2022 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
• Final Published Version (URL): http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.csm.2022.02.007
• Title of Journal or Parent Work: CLINICS IN SPORTS MEDICINE
• Volume: 41
• Issue: 3
• Start Page: 455
• End Page: 472
• Keywords: COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; AMERICAN-HEART-ASSOCIATION; Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging; Myocarditis; LATE GADOLINIUM ENHANCEMENT; CARDIOVASCULAR MAGNETIC-RESONANCE; ENDOMYOCARDIAL BIOPSY; DEATH; RISK; Life Sciences & Biomedicine; SCIENTIFIC STATEMENT; EUROPEAN-SOCIETY; Athletes; Science & Technology; CARDIOMYOPATHY; Sport Sciences; RECOMMENDATIONS
• Research Categories: Health Sciences, Medicine and Surgery

Abstract

Myocarditis is a leading cause of sudden death in athletes. Early data demonstrating increased prevalence of cardiac injury in hospitalized patients with COVID-19 raised concerns for athletes recovered from COVID-19 and the possibility of underlying myocarditis. However, subsequent large registries have provided reassuring data affirming low prevalence of myocarditis in athletes convalesced from COVID-19. Although the clinical significance of subclinical myocarditis detected by cardiac MRI remains uncertain, clinical outcomes have not demonstrated an increase in acute cardiac events in athletes throughout the pandemic. Future directions include defining mechanisms underlying "long-haul" COVID-19 and the potential impact of new viral variants.