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Quinn KL, Lam GY, Walsh JF, Bhéreur A, Brown AD, Chow CW, Chung KYC, Cowan J, Crampton N, Décary S, Falcone EL, Graves L, Gross DP, Hanneman K, Harvey PJ, Holmes S, Katz GM, Parhizgar P, Sharkawy A, Tran KC, Waserman S, Zannella VE, Cheung AM. Cardiovascular Considerations in the Management of People With Suspected Long COVID. Can J Cardiol 2023; 39:741-753. [PMID: 37030518 PMCID: PMC10160565 DOI: 10.1016/j.cjca.2023.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2023] [Revised: 04/03/2023] [Accepted: 04/03/2023] [Indexed: 04/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Approximately 15% of adult Canadians with SARS-CoV-2 infection develop lingering symptoms beyond 12 weeks after acute infection, known as post-COVID condition or long COVID. Some of the commonly reported long COVID cardiovascular symptoms include fatigue, shortness of breath, chest pain, and palpitations. Suspected long-term cardiovascular complications of SARS-CoV-2 infection might present as a constellation of symptoms that can be challenging for clinicians to diagnose and treat. When assessing patients with these symptoms, clinicians need to keep in mind myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome, postexertional malaise and postexertional symptom exacerbation, dysautonomia with cardiac manifestations such as inappropriate sinus tachycardia, and postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome, and occasionally mast cell activation syndrome. In this review we summarize the globally evolving evidence around management of cardiac sequelae of long COVID. In addition, we include a Canadian perspective, consisting of a panel of expert opinions from people with lived experience and experienced clinicians across Canada who have been involved in management of long COVID. The objective of this review is to offer some practical guidance to cardiologists and generalist clinicians regarding diagnostic and treatment approaches for adult patients with suspected long COVID who continue to experience unexplained cardiac symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kieran L Quinn
- Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; ICES, Toronto and Ottawa, Ontario, Canada; Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Medicine, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Temmy Latner Centre for Palliative Care, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
| | - Grace Y Lam
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada; Alberta Respiratory Centre, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Jillian F Walsh
- Department of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Anne Bhéreur
- Department of Family Medicine and Emergency Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada; School of Rehabilitation, Faculty of Medicine and Health Science, Université de Sherbrooke, Research Center of the Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Québec, Canada
| | - Adam D Brown
- Cornerstone Physiotherapy, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Chung Wai Chow
- Department of Medicine, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - Juthaporn Cowan
- Department of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada; Clinical Epidemiology Program, The Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Noah Crampton
- Toronto Western Family Health Team, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Simon Décary
- School of Rehabilitation, Faculty of Medicine and Health Science, Université de Sherbrooke, Research Center of the Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Québec, Canada
| | - Emilia L Falcone
- Center for Inflammation, Immunity and Infectious Diseases, Montreal Clinical Research Institute (IRCM), Montreal, Québec, Canada; Department of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Québec, Canada
| | - Lorraine Graves
- Person with lived experience, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Douglas P Gross
- Department of Physical Therapy, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Kate Hanneman
- Department of Medical Imaging, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; University Medical Imaging Toronto, Peter Munk Cardiac Center, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Toronto General Hospital Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Paula J Harvey
- Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Women's College Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Sheila Holmes
- Department of Medicine, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Gabrielle M Katz
- Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Parinaz Parhizgar
- Department of Medicine, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Toronto General Hospital Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Abdu Sharkawy
- Department of Medicine, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Karen C Tran
- Division of General Internal Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Susan Waserman
- Division of Clinical Immunology and Allergy, Department of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Vanessa E Zannella
- Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Medicine, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Angela M Cheung
- Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Medicine, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Medicine, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Toronto General Hospital Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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3
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Mitrani RD, Dabas N, Alfadhli J, Lowery MH, Best TM, Hare JM, Myerburg RJ, Goldberger JJ. Long-term cardiac surveillance and outcomes of COVID-19 patients. Trends Cardiovasc Med 2022; 32:465-475. [PMID: 35718289 PMCID: PMC9212847 DOI: 10.1016/j.tcm.2022.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2022] [Revised: 05/31/2022] [Accepted: 06/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Acute cardiac manifestions of COVID-19 have been well described, while chronic cardiac sequelae remain less clear. Various studies have shown conflicting data on the prevalence of new or worsening cardiovascular disease, myocarditis or cardiac dysrhythmias among patients recovered from COVID-19. Data are emerging that show that patients recovering from COVID-19 have an increased incidence of myocarditis and arrhythmias after recovery from COVID-19 compared with the control groups without COVID-19. The incidence of myocarditis after COVID-19 infection is low but is still significantly greater than the incidence of myocarditis from a COVID-19 vaccine. There have been several studies of athletes who underwent a variety of screening protocols prior to being cleared to return to exercise and competition. The data show possible, probable or definite myocarditis or cardiac injury among 0.4–3.0% of the athletes studied. Recent consensus statements suggest that athletes with full recovery and absence of cardiopulmonary symptoms may return to exercise and competition without cardiovascular testing. In conclusion, patients with COVID-19 may be expected to have an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, myocarditis or arrhythmias during the convalescent phase. Fortunately, the majority of patients, including athletes may return to their normal activity after recovery from COVID 19, in the absence of persisting cardiovascular symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raul D Mitrani
- Cardiovascular Division, Department of Medicine, University of Miami, 1120 NW 14th St., Suite 1124, Miami, FL 33136, United States
| | - Nitika Dabas
- Cardiovascular Division, Department of Medicine, University of Miami, 1120 NW 14th St., Suite 1124, Miami, FL 33136, United States
| | - Jarrah Alfadhli
- Cardiovascular Division, Department of Medicine, University of Miami, 1120 NW 14th St., Suite 1124, Miami, FL 33136, United States
| | - Maureen H Lowery
- Cardiovascular Division, Department of Medicine, University of Miami, 1120 NW 14th St., Suite 1124, Miami, FL 33136, United States
| | - Thomas M Best
- Department of Orthopedics, UHealth Sports Medicine Institute, United States
| | - Joshua M Hare
- Cardiovascular Division, Department of Medicine, University of Miami, 1120 NW 14th St., Suite 1124, Miami, FL 33136, United States; The Interdisciplinary Stem Cell Institute, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, United States
| | - Robert J Myerburg
- Cardiovascular Division, Department of Medicine, University of Miami, 1120 NW 14th St., Suite 1124, Miami, FL 33136, United States
| | - Jeffrey J Goldberger
- Cardiovascular Division, Department of Medicine, University of Miami, 1120 NW 14th St., Suite 1124, Miami, FL 33136, United States.
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Serviente C, Decker ST, Layec G. From heart to muscle: pathophysiological mechanisms underlying long-term physical sequelae from SARS-CoV-2 infection. J Appl Physiol (1985) 2022; 132:581-592. [PMID: 35019775 PMCID: PMC8873035 DOI: 10.1152/japplphysiol.00734.2021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2021] [Revised: 12/29/2021] [Accepted: 01/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The long-term sequelae of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) are multifaceted and, besides the lungs, impact other organs and tissues, even in cases of mild infection. Along with commonly reported symptoms such as fatigue and dyspnea, a significant proportion of those with prior COVID-19 infection also exhibit signs of cardiac damage, muscle weakness, and ultimately, poor exercise tolerance. This review provides an overview of evidence indicating cardiac impairments and persistent endothelial dysfunction in the peripheral vasculature of those previously infected with COVID-19, irrespective of the severity of the acute phase of illness. In addition, V̇o2peak appears to be lower in convalescent patients, which may stem, in part, from alterations in O2 transport such as impaired diffusional O2 conductance. Together, the persistent multi-organ dysfunction induced by COVID-19 may set previously healthy individuals on a trajectory towards frailty and disease. Given the large proportion of individuals recovering from COVID-19, it is critically important to better understand the physical sequelae of COVID-19, the underlying biological mechanisms contributing to these outcomes, and the long-term effects on future disease risk. This review highlights relevant literature on the pathophysiology post-COVID-19 infection, gaps in the literature, and emphasizes the need for the development of evidence-based rehabilitation guidelines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Corinna Serviente
- Department of Kinesiology, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, Massachusetts
- Institute for Applied Life Sciences, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, Massachusetts
| | - Stephen T Decker
- Department of Kinesiology, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, Massachusetts
| | - Gwenael Layec
- Department of Kinesiology, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, Massachusetts
- Institute for Applied Life Sciences, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, Massachusetts
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Shafiabadi Hassani N, Talakoob H, Karim H, Mozafari Bazargany MH, Rastad H. Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging Findings in 2954 COVID-19 Adult Survivors: A Comprehensive Systematic Review. J Magn Reson Imaging 2021; 55:866-880. [PMID: 34309139 PMCID: PMC8427049 DOI: 10.1002/jmri.27852] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2021] [Revised: 07/11/2021] [Accepted: 07/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Recent studies have utilized MRI to determine the extent to which COVID‐19 survivors may experience cardiac sequels after recovery. Purpose To systematically review the main cardiac MRI findings in COVID‐19 adult survivors. Study type Systematic review. Subjects A total of 2954 COVID‐19 adult survivors from 16 studies. Field Strength/sequence Late gadolinium enhancement (LGE), parametric mapping (T1‐native, T2, T1‐post (extracellular volume fraction [ECV]), T2‐weighted sequences (myocardium/pericardium), at 1.5 T and 3 T. Assessment A systematic search was performed on PubMed, Embase, and Google scholar databases using Boolean operators and the relevant key terms covering COVID‐19, cardiac injury, CMR, and follow‐up. MRI data, including (if available) T1, T2, extra cellular volume, presence of myocardial or pericardial late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) and left and right ventricular ejection fraction were extracted. Statistical Tests The main results of the included studies are summarized. No additional statistical analysis was performed. Results Of 1601 articles retrieved from the initial search, 12 cohorts and 10 case series met our eligibility criteria. The rate of raised T1 in COVID‐19 adult survivors varied across studies from 0% to 73%. Raised T2 was detected in none of patients in 4 out of 15 studies, and in the remaining studies, its rate ranged from 2% to 60%. In most studies, LGE (myocardial or pericardial) was observed in COVID‐19 survivors, the rate ranging from 4% to 100%. Myocardial LGE mainly had nonischemic patterns. None of the cohort studies observed myocardial LGE in “healthy” controls. Most studies found that patients who recovered from COVID‐19 had a significantly greater T1 and T2 compared to participants in the corresponding control group. Data Conclusion Findings of MRI studies suggest the presence of myocardial and pericardial involvement in a notable number of patients recovered from COVID‐19. Level of Evidence 3 Technical Efficacy Stage 3
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Hamed Talakoob
- Cardiovascular Research Center, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran
| | - Hosein Karim
- Cardiovascular Research Center, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran
| | | | - Hadith Rastad
- Non-communicable Diseases Research Center, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran
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Dixit NM, Churchill A, Nsair A, Hsu JJ. Post-Acute COVID-19 Syndrome and the cardiovascular system: What is known? AMERICAN HEART JOURNAL PLUS : CARDIOLOGY RESEARCH AND PRACTICE 2021; 5:100025. [PMID: 34192289 PMCID: PMC8223036 DOI: 10.1016/j.ahjo.2021.100025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2021] [Revised: 06/08/2021] [Accepted: 06/10/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Post-Acute COVID-19 Syndrome (PACS) is defined by persistent symptoms >3-4 weeks after onset of COVID-19. The mechanism of these persistent symptoms is distinct from acute COVID-19 although not completely understood despite the high incidence of PACS. Cardiovascular symptoms such as chest pain and palpitations commonly occur in PACS, but the underlying cause of symptoms is infrequently known. While autopsy studies have shown that the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) rarely causes direct myocardial injury, several syndromes such as myocarditis, pericarditis, and Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome have been implicated in PACS. Additionally, patients hospitalized with acute COVID-19 who display biomarker evidence of myocardial injury may have underlying coronary artery disease revealed by the physiological stress of SARS-CoV-2 infection and may benefit from medical optimization. We review what is known about PACS and the cardiovascular system and propose a framework for evaluation and management of related symptoms.
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Key Words
- ACE2, angiotensin converting enzyme-2
- AF/AFL, atrial fibrillation or flutter
- CBT, cognitive behavioral therapy
- CFS, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
- CMR, cardiac magnetic resonance imaging
- CRP, C-reactive protein
- CV, cardiovascular
- Cardiology
- Coronavirus Disease 2019
- ECG, electrocardiography
- ECV, extracellular volume
- LGE, late gadolinium enhancement
- Long COVID
- Long-Haul COVID
- MCAS, Mast Cell Activation Syndrome
- MERS, Middle East Respiratory Syndrome
- POTS, Post-Acute COVID-19 Syndrome
- SARS-COV-1, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-1
- SARS-CoV-2
- T1MI, type 1 myocardial infarction
- T2MI, type 2 myocardial infarction
- TTT, tilt table testing
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Affiliation(s)
- Neal M. Dixit
- Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, 757 Westwood Plaza, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Austin Churchill
- School of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, 10833 Le Conte Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Ali Nsair
- Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, 757 Westwood Plaza, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA,Division of Cardiology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, 757 Westwood Plaza, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Jeffrey J. Hsu
- Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, 757 Westwood Plaza, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA,Division of Cardiology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, 757 Westwood Plaza, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA,Veterans Affairs Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, 11301 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90073, USA,Corresponding author at: UCLA Center for Health Sciences, A2-237, 650 Charles E. Young Dr. South, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1679, USA
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