Cardiac magnetic resonance findings in coronavirus disease 2019

Nahid Rezaeian1, Leila Hosseini1,2, Sanaz Asadian1

  • 1Rajaie Cardiovascular Medical and Research Center Iran University of Medical Sciences Tehran Iran.

Clinical Case Reports
|April 6, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Certain COVID-19 patients show heart inflammation and potential myocardial infarction, even with normal coronary arteries. This finding highlights specific cardiac risks associated with the virus.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Medical Imaging

Background:

  • Coronaviruses, including SARS-CoV-2, can affect multiple organ systems.
  • Cardiac complications are increasingly recognized in COVID-19 patients.
  • Myocardial inflammation (myocarditis) is a known cardiac manifestation of viral infections.

Observation:

  • A specific cohort of COVID-19 patients underwent cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR).
  • These patients displayed evidence of myocardial inflammation on CMR.
  • Epicardial coronary arteries were assessed and found to be normal in this subgroup.

Findings:

  • Subendocardial fibrosis was observed in the affected patients.
  • This pattern of fibrosis is consistent with myocardial infarction (heart attack).
  • The presence of fibrosis despite normal coronary arteries suggests non-atherosclerotic causes.

Implications:

  • COVID-19 can lead to myocardial infarction through mechanisms independent of epicardial coronary artery disease.
  • Cardiac MRI is crucial for diagnosing myocardial inflammation and fibrosis in COVID-19.
  • Understanding these cardiac manifestations is vital for patient management and prognosis.

Related Concept Videos

Imaging Studies for Cardiovascular System IV: CMRI01:21

Imaging Studies for Cardiovascular System IV: CMRI

Cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging, or CMRI, is a non-invasive diagnostic test that employs a magnetic field and radiofrequency waves to create precise images of the heart and arteries. It provides comprehensive information about cardiac anatomy, function, perfusion, and tissue characterization without ionizing radiation.IndicationsCMRI diagnoses various heart conditions, including tissue damage from heart attacks, ischemic heart disease, myocarditis, aortic issues (tears, aneurysms,...
175
Aortic Regurgitation II: Clinical Features and Diagnostic Tests01:22

Aortic Regurgitation II: Clinical Features and Diagnostic Tests

Aortic valve regurgitation (AR) occurs when the aortic valve fails to close properly, allowing blood to flow backward from the aorta into the left ventricle. This backflow can result in two distinct clinical presentations: acute and chronic AR, each characterized by its own set of symptoms and physical findings.Acute Aortic RegurgitationAcute AR presents with a sudden onset of severe symptoms. Patients typically experience profound dyspnea (shortness of breath), chest pain, and signs of left...
157
Imaging Studies for Cardiovascular System V: CT01:28

Imaging Studies for Cardiovascular System V: CT

Cardiac computed tomography (CT) scanning is an advanced cardiac imaging technique that utilizes CT technology, with or without intravenous (IV) contrast, to produce accurate cross-sectional virtual slices of specific areas of the heart, coronary circulation, and major blood vessels such as the aorta, pulmonary veins, and arteries. The computer processes these slices to generate three-dimensional images. Multidetector CT (MDCT) is a rapid form of CT scanning that captures multiple slices...
130
Myocarditis II: Clinical Features and Diagnostic Tests01:27

Myocarditis II: Clinical Features and Diagnostic Tests

Myocarditis is an inflammation of the heart muscle. The symptoms vary widely, encompassing asymptomatic presentations to severe, acute manifestations.Clinical PresentationAsymptomatic cases: In some instances, myocarditis may be asymptomatic, with the infection resolving without intervention. These cases often go undetected unless discovered incidentally through diagnostic imaging or tests conducted for other reasons.General Early Symptoms: Early symptoms of myocarditis are non-specific and can...
87
Cardiomyopathy II: Dilated Cardiomyopathy01:30

Cardiomyopathy II: Dilated Cardiomyopathy

Dilated cardiomyopathy, or DCM, is a progressive myocardial disorder characterized by ventricular chamber dilation and contractile dysfunction.EtiologyVarious factors can cause DCM, including hypertension and heavy alcohol intake, which contribute to the weakening and enlargement of the heart muscle. Viral infections, such as Coxsackievirus B, adenoviruses, and influenza, can lead to DCM by causing inflammation and damage to heart tissue. Certain chemotherapeutic agents, including daunorubicin,...
125
Imaging Studies for Cardiovascular System III: X-Ray01:20

Imaging Studies for Cardiovascular System III: X-Ray

The most common cardiovascular diagnostic test is an X-ray. It produces images of the heart, blood vessels, and adjacent structures.
Definition and Purpose
An X-ray, or radiograph, is a non-invasive method that uses ionizing radiation to take images of internal structures. It is mainly used in cardiac imaging to examine the heart, lungs, and major blood vessels, aiming to identify abnormalities in the heart's size, shape, and position, such as heart failure, congenital defects, and vascular...
345