Search

We report the case of a young professional soccer player who underwent cardiac MRI (CMR) for work-up of discrete intermittent chest pain and subtle ST segment elevations in the ECG after having been tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 type B.1.1.529 despite full vaccination including recent mRNA booster. Troponin levels were significantly increased and myocarditis was suspected. Comprehensive CMR including CINE and late gadolinium enhancement as well as multi-parametric T1/T2 mapping techniques revealed local hypokinesia and swelling of the posterolateral wall with non-ischemic late gadolinium enhancement and increased T2 relaxation time compatible with acute viral myocarditis. The patient was admitted to a cardiology ward for rhythm and troponin monitoring and was discharged after two days of uneventful rhythm monitoring and with decreased troponin levels. Adhering to current recommendations the patient was advised to abstain from moderate- to high-intensity sports and exercise for 3-6 months. After 6 months of exercise avoidance, follow-up ECG showed regression of prior ST segment elevations, and Holter ECG as well as a treadmill exercise stress test did not reveal any abnormalities. Follow-up CMR was performed before return-to-sports which revealed persisting myocardial fibrosis but complete regression of myocardial edemam and excluded ongoing inflammation. This example underscores the value of multi-parametric CMR tissue characterization for the work-up of suspected SARS-CoV-2 associated myocarditis, as well as for follow-up before return-to-sports.Key Words: COVID-19, Late Gadolinium Enhancement, Cardiovascular MR, Myocardial Mapping

Background: The impact of the corona pandemic on competitive sports has not yet been studied in a larger group of athletes.Methods: Using an online questionnaire, junior and adult elite athletes from Germany and Austria were asked about their infection status, potential symptoms of COVID-19, and the impact of the pandemic on their athletic activity.Results: Between April 21, 2020 and February 16, 2021, a total of 2981 questionnaires were recorded (50.3% female, 25.7% professional athletes, 37.9% national team members). 78 athletes (2.6%) reported a positive PCR test result for SARS-CoV-2. In addition, 67 (2.3%) athletes reported that they had experienced the disease but were self-diagnosed. In 19 athletes (0.6%), infection was suspected by a physician but without testing. 841 (28.2%) athletes stated that they were in quarantine at least once. At least one symptom that might be associated with COVID-19 was observed in 38.7% of all athletes. Cardiac symptoms were reported significantly more often in PCR-positive athletes than in the group of athletes without confirmed infection or no infection. 15 athletes (0.5%) were admitted to hospital due to COVID-19, 8 of them were hospitalized for more than 1 week.Conclusion: The corona pandemic has a massive impact on competitive sports. In addition to indirect consequences due to quarantine measures or cancellation of competitions, infections with SARS-CoV-2 occurred in a significant proportion of athletes. Severe courses with hospitalization were also recorded among competitive athletes.Key Words: SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19, Infection, Questionnaire, Competitive Sports

Background and rationale: Resting ECG is an essential diagnostic tool in sports medicine. Modern mobile 22-lead Vector ECG device (V-ECG) using only four electrodes has become available to record ECG via mobile devices. In order to implement the V ECG in sports medicine, it is essential that the V-ECG is diagnostically equal to the standard 12-lead resting ECG (R-ECG). This study was designed to present a head-to-head comparison of the V-ECG with the R-ECG in elite athletes.Methods: In 102 adult eliteathletes the V-ECG was recorded additionally to the R-ECG. These ECGs were compared in standard parameters and in the international criteria of electrocardiographic interpretation in athletes.Results: Differences were registered in the cardiac axis, absolute QRS amplitudes, signs of ventricular hypertrophy, R/S ratio and polarity of the T wave. Consequently, differences in sports related ECG findings (increased QRS voltage, incomplete right bundle branch block, T wave inversion and pathologic Q wave) were observed.Summary: Due to the simple handling, V-ECG is a technically beneficial method of ECG registration. At the moment, it can only be used as a supplement to the R-ECG in sports medicine. It is essential that the characteristic differences are always considered when interpreting the V ECG. Key Words: International Criteria of Electrocardiographic Interpretation in Athletes, Preparticipation Evaluation in Athletes, Mobile Device, Sudden Cardiac Death, Sports Cardiology

Rationale and Objectives: Long-term physical training is associated with morphological and functional adaptations of the cardiovascular system. Aim of this prospective study was to assess physiologic adaptations and structural cardiac remodelling and to analyze the presence and distribution of myocardial Late Gadolinium Enhancement (LGE) by cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).Materials and Methods: Thirteen female professional handball players (mean age 25.14.7) and 13 age- and gender-matched non-athlete controls (mean age 25.54.2) underwent cardiac MRI at 1.5T. Steady-state free-precession cine MRI was used to calculate left and right ventricular end-diastolic volume (EDV), endsystolic volume (ESV), stroke volume (SV), ejection fraction (EF), myocardial mass (MM) and cardiac remodeling index (RI). Macroscopical structural alterations or myocardial scar were excluded by late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) imaging.Results: Indexed LV-EDV and RV-EDV were significantly (P

Copyright of German Journal of Sports Medicine / Deutsche Zeitschrift fur Sportmedizin is the property of Verein zur Forderung der Sportmedizin Hannover e.V. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Herz is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)