Subclinical myocardial dysfunction in patients recovered from COVID-19

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Infectious Diseases
• Medical Imaging

Background:

• Myocardial injury (MI) during COVID-19 infection is linked to poor outcomes.
• Cardiac abnormalities may persist after recovery from COVID-19.
• Mid-term cardiac assessment is crucial for understanding long-term effects.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate cardiac abnormalities in mid-term follow-up of COVID-19 survivors.
• To evaluate clinical, laboratory, and imaging findings in recovered patients.
• To identify potential subclinical myocardial dysfunction.

Main Methods:

• Observational, cross-sectional study of 123 COVID-19 recovered patients.
• Myocardial injury defined by elevated high-sensitive troponin T (hsTnT).
• Comprehensive assessment including clinical evaluation, laboratory tests, and echocardiography with speckle-tracking.

Main Results:

• Patients with prior MI (Group B) reported more dyspnea and had higher hsTnT/NT-proBNP levels at follow-up.
• No significant differences in ventricular dimensions or ejection fraction between groups.
• Group B showed reduced left ventricle global longitudinal strain, impaired diastolic function, and higher pulmonary pressures.

Conclusions:

• Echocardiography with speckle-tracking can detect subclinical myocardial dysfunction in COVID-19 survivors.
• Identifying these abnormalities may guide future management strategies.
• Mid-term cardiac evaluation is important for patients with a history of MI during COVID-19.