Post-acute Cardiovascular Sequelae of COVID-19: an Overview of Functional and Imaging Insights

Abstract

Abstract Purpose of Review To evaluate the potential role of advanced cardiac imaging and cardiopulmonary exercise testing in the diagnosis and evaluation of persistent cardiovascular conditions after SARS-CoV-2 infection. Recent Findings SARS-COV-2 has shown an overwhelming capacity to attack multiple organs, with the respiratory system being the most frequently involved. However, various cardiovascular complications have been reported during the course of the disease, becoming one of the most important causes of morbidity and mortality. Many articles have addressed the acute cardiovascular complications of SARS-CoV-2; however, chronic cardiovascular conditions that persist beyond acute infection are less well studied. Echocardiography has a role during the initial approach, but advanced cardiac images such as cardiac magnetic resonance and cardiac CT can be required since a normal echo finding does not exclude cardiovascular involvement. Cardiopulmonary exercise testing has proven to be a highly valuable tool in cases where the symptoms persist besides normal advanced images. Summary The present review includes the most relevant articles regarding the use of cardiac imaging and cardiopulmonary exercise testing in the evaluation of chronic cardiovascular manifestations of COVID-19.