Myocarditis In Athletes Research Articles

Myocarditis in Athletes: Risk Factors and Relationship with Strenuous Exercise.

Amidst the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, myocarditis in athletes has demanded increased attention primarily because of the risk of sudden cardiac death. While most athletes who experience myocardial inflammation recover, extensive measures for screening and diagnosis are taken because of the possibility of cardiac necrosis, fibrosis, and remodeling. Several risk factors have been identified that may contribute to the development of this inflammatory response, predominantly a history of viral or bacterial upper-respiratory infections. Recent research suggests new risks specific to athletes remain in question, such as the intensity and longevity of sustained exercise, vaccination status, and genetic and epidemiologic factors. Electrocardiography, echocardiography, and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging are commonly utilized for the diagnosis of myocarditis; however, reference standards are lacking because of the variety of clinical presentations. In this article, we discuss the epidemiology, pathophysiology, and presentation of myocarditis in athletes. We then review the available literature to provide a deeper insight into the diagnostic testing methods available, with the aim of outlining the efficacy and prognostic value. Next, we discuss an algorithmic approach to patient care and treatment based upon hemodynamic stability, symptoms, and findings on testing. Finally, this article reviews the current return to play guidelines and the rationale for revisions to return-to-play protocols.

Abstract 14254: Myocarditis in Athletes and Non-Athletes: Evaluating the Persistence and Degree of Myocardial Fibrosis at Follow Up

Introduction: Myocarditis is a common acquired cardiac disorder that may lead to persistent scar. Current guidelines recommend follow up cardiac MRI (CMR) in 3-6 months for athletes. Data supporting this recommendation is unfortunately very limited. Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the demographic and clinical variables of patients diagnosed with myocarditis. Clinical data for those who had a follow up CMR was also evaluated separately. Methodology: Patients who had a cardiac MRI (CMR) organised between July 2019 till December 2022 because of a MINOCA/Myocarditis hospital admission were retrospectively reviewed. Those with a myocarditis diagnosis were included. An athlete was defined as an individual who engaged in >4 hours of physical activity weekly or underwent organized sport. Results: 105 patients were included (mean age 35.4±15.6 years, 83.8% male). 34.3% were athletes. 12.4% had possible acute myocarditis, 10.5% had likely myocarditis and 77.1% had confirmed myocarditis on cardiac MRI (median 4 days from presentation). ECG was abnormal in 60.0%. 8.6% had arrhythmias. Echocardiography was abnormal in 26.7%. CMR revealed 15.2% reduced LV EF, 57.1% regional wall motion abnormalities, 5.7% reduced RV EF, 25.7% pericardial effusion, 84.5% myocardial oedema. Most (88.5%) had late gadolinium enhancement (LGE). 56.2% were started on anti-heart failure medical therapy. 29.5% had a CMR repeated (interval between scans 14.7±14.2 months). 77.4% showed persistent LGE, less pronounced in most (71.0%). Diffuse LGE at baseline was the only predictor for persistent scar (p=0.004). Scar persisted equally in athletes and non-athletes (p=0.666). Clinical variables were similar in both. At follow-up (24.6±15.3 months), 8.6% had adverse outcomes. The event rate was similar in athletes and non-athletes. A low LV EF on CMR (p=0.011) and abnormal ECHO (p=0.027) were the only variables that could predict outcome. Conclusion: LGE after myocarditis persists in 77.4% of cases, albeit better. No variable could predict the persistence of LGE in this cohort. Athletes and non-athletes had a similar clinical course, suggesting that repeat CMR in non-athletes is reasonable. The diagnostic utility of repeat CMR after myocarditis remains questionable.

COVID myocarditis in a collegiate athlete: Timeline and return to play

BackgroundStudies in collegiate athletes have demonstrated a prevalence of cardiac involvement between 0.5 and 3 % after SARS-CoV-2 infection. When post-COVID cardiac involvement occurs in athletes, the ideal return to play timeline and many possible long-term sequela or complications are unknown. Case summaryA 20 yo female collegiate athlete tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 and underwent routine cardiac screening prior to her return to play (RTP). Evaluation demonstrated an elevated high-sensitivity troponin-I and an ECG showed some mild T wave changes. She had a normal transthoracic echocardiogram, and her Cardiac magnetic imaging (CMR) met Lake Louise Criteria for acute myocarditis. She was diagnosed with acute myocarditis and restricted from sports. CMR was repeated at 3.5 months after normalization of troponin I HS and demonstrated continued active inflammation. She continued to be restricted from exertion. A third CMR was obtained at 6.5 months and showed resolution of active inflammation but a small area of fibrosis, and the remainder of her cardiac testing was normal. She was allowed to slowly progress back into sport and returned to competition at 9 months and successfully completed her season. DiscussionCMR is not typically repeated prior to RTP after a diagnosis of myocarditis in athletes, but in this case, repeat CMR at 3.5 months initially demonstrated continued active inflammation, and a second repeat CMR at 6.5 months demonstrated abnormal cardiac fibrosis. This may suggest utility in repeating CMR and raises questions about possible long-term implications of cardiac fibrosis once the acute inflammation of myocarditis has resolved.

COVID-19 viral infection and myocarditis in athletes: the need for caution in interpreting cardiac magnetic resonance findings

COVID-19 viral infection and myocarditis in athletes: the need for caution in interpreting cardiac magnetic resonance findings

Myocarditis in Athletes Recovering from COVID-19: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: To assess the event rates of myocarditis detected by Cardiac Magnetic Resonance (CMR) in athletes who recovered from COVID-19. Methods: A systematic literature search was performed to identify studies reporting abnormal CMR findings in athletes who recovered from COVID-19. Secondary analyses were performed considering increased serum high sensitivity troponin (hs-Tn) levels and electrocardiographic (ECG) and echocardiographic (ECHO) abnormalities. Results: In total, 7988 athletes from 15 studies were included in the analysis. The pooled event rate of myocarditis was 1% (CI 1–2%), reaching 4% in the sub-group analysis. In addition, heterogeneity was observed (I2 43.8%). The pooled event rates of elevated serum hs-Tn levels, abnormal ECG and ECHO findings were 2% (CI 1–5%), 3% (CI 1–10%) and 2% (CI 1–6%), respectively. ECG, ECHO and serum hs-Tn level abnormalities did not show any correlation with myocarditis. Conclusions: The prevalence of COVID-19-related myocarditis in the athletic population ranges from 1 to 4%. Even if the event rate is quite low, current screening protocols are helpful tools for a safe return to play to properly address CMR studies. Trial registration: the study protocol was registered in the PROSPERO database (registration number: CRD42022300819).

Prevalence of Clinical and Subclinical Myocarditis in Competitive Athletes With Recent SARS-CoV-2 Infection

Myocarditis is a leading cause of sudden death in competitive athletes. Myocardial inflammation is known to occur with SARS-CoV-2. Different screening approaches for detection of myocarditis have been reported. The Big Ten Conference requires comprehensive cardiac testing including cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging for all athletes with COVID-19, allowing comparison of screening approaches. To determine the prevalence of myocarditis in athletes with COVID-19 and compare screening strategies for safe return to play. Big Ten COVID-19 Cardiac Registry principal investigators were surveyed for aggregate observational data from March 1, 2020, through December 15, 2020, on athletes with COVID-19. For athletes with myocarditis, presence of cardiac symptoms and details of cardiac testing were recorded. Myocarditis was categorized as clinical or subclinical based on the presence of cardiac symptoms and CMR findings. Subclinical myocarditis classified as probable or possible myocarditis based on other testing abnormalities. Myocarditis prevalence across universities was determined. The utility of different screening strategies was evaluated. SARS-CoV-2 by polymerase chain reaction testing. Myocarditis via cardiovascular diagnostic testing. Representing 13 universities, cardiovascular testing was performed in 1597 athletes (964 men [60.4%]). Thirty-seven (including 27 men) were diagnosed with COVID-19 myocarditis (overall 2.3%; range per program, 0%-7.6%); 9 had clinical myocarditis and 28 had subclinical myocarditis. If cardiac testing was based on cardiac symptoms alone, only 5 athletes would have been detected (detected prevalence, 0.31%). Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging for all athletes yielded a 7.4-fold increase in detection of myocarditis (clinical and subclinical). Follow-up CMR imaging performed in 27 (73.0%) demonstrated resolution of T2 elevation in all (100%) and late gadolinium enhancement in 11 (40.7%). In this cohort study of 1597 US competitive athletes with CMR screening after COVID-19 infection, 37 athletes (2.3%) were diagnosed with clinical and subclinical myocarditis. Variability was observed in prevalence across universities, and testing protocols were closely tied to the detection of myocarditis. Variable ascertainment and unknown implications of CMR findings underscore the need for standardized timing and interpretation of cardiac testing. These unique CMR imaging data provide a more complete understanding of the prevalence of clinical and subclinical myocarditis in college athletes after COVID-19 infection. The role of CMR in routine screening for athletes safe return to play should be explored further.

Management and Treatment of Myocarditis in Athletes.

Purpose of reviewMyocarditis is an inflammation of the myocardium that can often be associated with cardiac dysfunction and arrhythmias, and is even one of the leading causes for sudden cardiac death (SCD) in athletes. This review aims to summarize the current evidence and treatment guidelines for the management of myocarditis in the active population.Recent findingsPhysical exertion is likely a trigger for dangerous arrythmias and further propagates myocardial damage in athletes with myocarditis. For this reason, abstinence from sports is a critical facet of management in the initial inflammatory period. The use of cardiac magnetic resonance imaging, specifically late gadolinium enhancement, to guide return to play decisions is becoming more common in clinical practice.SummaryEstablishing a stepwise approach for proper diagnosis and risk stratification, with an emphasis on contemporary cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging techniques, in myocarditis is critical. After a diagnosis of myocarditis is made, it is imperative for any athlete or highly active individual to refrain from physical exercise. Additionally, therapy for heart failure should be applied in cases of myocarditis with cardiac dysfunction. Undoubtedly, COVID 19, and its potential to cause myocarditis, is sure to change the landscape of management of this disease.

Myocarditis in athletes: A clinical perspective.

Myocarditis is an important cause of arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death (SCD) in both physically active individuals and athletes. Elite athletes seem to have an increased risk for viral infection and subsequent myocarditis due to increased exposure to pathogens (worldwide traveling/international competition) or impaired immune system (continuing training during infections/resuming training early thereafter, strenuous exercise training or competition, and exercising in extreme weather conditions). Initial clinical presentation is variable, but athletes characteristically express non-specific symptoms of fatigue, muscle soreness, increased heart rate at rest, as well as during exercise and reduced overall exercise capacity. Beyond resting electrocardiogram (ECG), cardiac biomarkers, echocardiography, and 24-hour Holter ECG, diagnostic work-up should include cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) assessing inflammation, oedema, and fibrosis by late gadolinium enhancement (LGE), respectively, as these measures are crucial for prognosis and sports eligibility. For patients with insufficient cardiac recovery, endomyocardial biopsy is recommended to clarify differential diagnoses and initiate specific treatment options. In uncomplicated cases with normal left ventricular function during acute phase and absent LGE, eligibility for sports can be attested to three months after clinical recovery. In those with persistent pathological findings, even after six months, the risk for SCD remains increased and resuming exercise beyond recreational activities can only be recommended individually based on course of disease, left ventricular function, arrhythmias, pattern of LGE in CMR, as well as intensity and volume of exercise performed during training and competition. For all athletes, follow-up examination should be performed yearly.

We need better data on how to manage myocarditis in athletes.

We need better data on how to manage myocarditis in athletes.

P4422Myocarditis: a deceitful but not infrequent athletes' enemy

Abstract Introduction Myocarditis represents a not negligible cause of sudden death (SD) in athletes, representing the cause of 4%-14% cardiac arrests and deaths in athletes. Preparticipation screening including 12-leads basal electrocardiogram could drastically reduce SD in athletes and screening programs are therefore now recommended by most medical and sport association. At the moment, no data in literature are available about incidence of concealed myocarditis in athletes but there is general consensus about disqualification from competitive sport in the presence of myocardial fibrosis (MF). Purpose Purpose of our study was to quantify incidence of MF consistent with past myocarditis in athletes that referred to our Sport Cardiology Center for ventricular arrhythmias (VA) +/− repolarization abnormalities (RA) detected at preparticipation screening. Methods In our study we retrospectively evaluated all athletes with VA +/− RA and we quantified how many were found to have MF consistent with myocarditis at cardiac MRI. Furthermore, we evaluated characteristics of presentation in terms of clinical symptoms of myocarditis and frequency and morphology of VA. Finally, we analyzed findings of invasive diagnostic workout when performed. Results In the last two years we evaluated 111 athletes for VA +/− RA and we found MF consistent with myocarditis in 18 (16%) of them. Only 2/18 referred past febrile status probably correlated with myocarditis and 1 had symptoms consistent with acute myocarditis. Number of VA was not correlated with MF fibrosis, while polymorphic VA and exercise-correlated VA were the most frequent finding. 5/18 (28%) had also rest and/or exercise induced RA. 10/18 (55%) athletes underwent electrophysiological study without any induction of arrhythmias. 7/18 (39%) underwent also electroanatomical mapping (EAM) with pathological findings in 5/7 (71%). All of these 5 underwent endomyocardial biopsy guided by EAM and in 2 cases bioptic findings were consistent with arrhythmogenic cardyomyopahty (ACM). All 18 athletes were disqualified from competitive sport as for Italian Sport Medicine protocols. Conclusion MF consistent with past myocarditis is a not infrequent finding in athletes with VA with or without RA. Morphology and exercise behavior of VA are the most important “alarm bell”, while VA number is not correlated with MRI pathological findings. Sometimes MF interpreted as consistent with past myocarditis is actually the manifestation of ACM. Identification of these diseases is of extreme importance for athletes' safety.

P4529Multilevel characterization of active myocarditis in athletes: a significant right ventricular involvement

P4529Multilevel characterization of active myocarditis in athletes: a significant right ventricular involvement

Role of Myocarditis in Athletes With Minor Arrhythmias and/or Echocardiographic Abnormalities

We report the clinical and instrumental data, including the endomyocardial biopsy findings, of six young athletes presenting with minor arrhythmias and/or echocardiographic abnormalities. In one of them, a left ventricular dilation with moderate depression of the systolic function had been attributed to an athlete's heart. A diagnosis of arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia had been made in three others, one with right ventricular dilation and apical hypokinesia, and two with ventricular arrhythmias with QRS morphology of left bundle branch block. A myocarditis could be unequivocally established in four athletes (two with and two without fibrosis). In the remaining two, with a clinical history strongly suggesting a previously acute myocarditis, the endomyocardial biopsy specimen revealed a nonspecific fibrosis compatible but not definitely pathognomonic of a healed myocarditis. Our report suggests that a myocarditis may be a cause of minor rhythm disturbances and/or echocardiographic abnormalities in athletes. A prevalent localization of the inflammatory process in the right ventricle with or without the occurrence of ventricular arrhythmias with left bundle branch block morphology can mimic an arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia. An early diagnosis of myocarditis in athletes is useful to avoid the risk of fatal arrhythmias, also considering that rest still keeps on being one of the most effective strategies in myocarditis management.

Lyme borreliosis

<h3>Abstract</h3> <h3>Background</h3> Myocarditis in athletes is a feared complication of SARS-CoV-2, yet guidelines for screening with cardiac magnetic resonance imaging are lacking. Further, stakeholder involvement in the research is rare. <h3>Hypothesis</h3> We sought to determine the rates of cardiac magnetic resonance imaging evidence of SARS-CoV-2 related myocarditis in student athletes. We hypothesized that rates of myocarditis were lower than initially reported and that including athletes on the research team would enhance participant satisfaction and scientific integrity. <h3>Methods</h3> Accordingly, when members of a hockey team were infected with SARS-CoV-2, we invited them and their team physicians to be part of the design of a study assessing the incidence of myocarditis. We performed cardiac magnetic resonance imaging on participating hockey players infected with SARS-CoV-2 and compared them to a healthy lacrosse cohort. Participants were given an optional survey to complete at the end of the study to assess their satisfaction with it. <h3>Results</h3> Four hockey players and two team physicians joined the study team; eight hockey players and four lacrosse players participated in the study. Zero athletes met imaging criteria for myocarditis; delayed enhancement was observed in seven cases and three controls. Athletes supported sharing the findings with the participants. No athletes reported feeling uncomfortable participating, knowing other athletes participated on the research team. <h3>Conclusion</h3> Rates of SARS-CoV-2 myocarditis in young athletes appears to be lower than initially reported. Partnered research is important, especially in populations with more to lose, such as collegiate athletes; future studies should include stakeholders in the study design and execution. <h3>Key points</h3> Cardiac MRI findings of myocarditis after COVID infection in young athletes is rare. Subjects of research studies appreciate involvement in the development of the study, and this also builds trust with the research team.