Myocardial Blood Flow Quantified Using Stress Cardiac Magnetic Resonance After Mild COVID-19 Infection.

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Infectious Diseases
• Medical Imaging

Background:

• Severe COVID-19 can impact heart perfusion via endothelial and microvascular effects.
• The effects of mild COVID-19 on myocardial perfusion remain largely unknown.
• Investigating post-infection cardiac function in mild COVID-19 cases is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess myocardial blood flow (MBF) after mild COVID-19 using stress cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR).
• To determine if mild COVID-19 infection leads to microvascular dysfunction.
• To compare MBF in individuals with a history of mild COVID-19 against healthy controls.

Main Methods:

• Prospective comparative study involving 30 individuals with prior mild COVID-19 and 26 matched controls.
• Stress cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging was employed to quantify myocardial perfusion.
• Dual sequence technique used for stress (sMBF) and rest (rMBF) myocardial blood flow; myocardial perfusion reserve (MPR) calculated.

Main Results:

• No significant differences were found in rest MBF (rMBF), stress MBF (sMBF), or myocardial perfusion reserve (MPR) between the mild COVID-19 group and controls.
• The interval between infection and CMR was a median of 5.6 months.
• Symptoms like chest pain and shortness of breath were more prevalent in the COVID-19 group, despite normal perfusion.

Conclusions:

• Mild COVID-19 infection does not appear to cause significant abnormalities in myocardial perfusion.
• Microvascular function, as assessed by MBF, remains intact after mild SARS-CoV-2 infection.
• Further research may explore persistent symptoms despite normal cardiac perfusion findings.