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Mavroudis I, Petridis F, Petroaie AD, Ciobica A, Kamal FZ, Honceriu C, Iordache A, Ionescu C, Novac B, Novac O. Exploring Symptom Overlaps: Post-COVID-19 Neurological Syndrome and Post-Concussion Syndrome in Athletes. Biomedicines 2024; 12:1587. [PMID: 39062160 PMCID: PMC11274969 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines12071587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2024] [Revised: 07/06/2024] [Accepted: 07/12/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has introduced new challenges in managing neurological conditions, particularly among athletes. This paper explores the intersection of post-COVID-19 neurological syndrome (PCNS/PASC) and post-concussion syndrome (PCS), focusing on their implications in sports medicine. Our analysis covers the symptomatology, pathophysiology, and management strategies for PCNS/PASC and PPCS, with special attention paid to the unique challenges faced by athletes recovering from these conditions, including the risk of symptom exacerbation and prolonged recovery. Key findings reveal that both PCNS/PASC and PPCS present with overlapping symptoms such as cognitive difficulties, exercise intolerance, and mental health issues, but differ in specific manifestations like anosmia and ageusia, unique to COVID-19. Pathophysiological analysis reveals similarities in blood-brain barrier disruption (BBB) but differences in the extent of immune activation. Management strategies emphasize a gradual increase in physical activity, close symptom monitoring, and psychological support, with a tailored approach for athletes. Specific interventions include progressive aerobic exercises, resistance training, and cognitive rehabilitation. Furthermore, our study highlights the importance of integrating neurology, psychiatry, physical therapy, and sports medicine to develop comprehensive care strategies. Our findings underscore the dual challenge of COVID-19 and concussion in athletes, necessitating a nuanced, interdisciplinary approach to effective management. Future research should focus on the long-term neurological effects of both conditions and optimizing treatment protocols to improve patient outcomes. This comprehensive understanding is crucial for advancing the management of athletes affected by these overlapping conditions and ensuring their safe return to sports.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ioannis Mavroudis
- Department of Neuroscience, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK;
- Faculty of Medicine, Leeds University, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK
| | - Foivos Petridis
- Third Department of Neurology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 541 24 Thessaloniki, Greece;
| | - Antoneta Dacia Petroaie
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Grigore T. Popa”, University Street No. 16, 700115 Iasi, Romania; (A.I.); (O.N.)
| | - Alin Ciobica
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Biology, Alexandru Ioan Cuza University of Iasi, Bd. Carol I no. 20A, 700505 Iasi, Romania; (A.C.); (C.I.)
- Centre of Biomedical Research, Romanian Academy, Bd. Carol I, no. 8, 700506 Iasi, Romania
- Academy of Romanian Scientists, Str. Splaiul Independentei no. 54, Sector 5, 050094 Bucharest, Romania
- “Ioan Haulica” Institute, Apollonia University, Pãcurari Street 11, 700511 Iasi, Romania
| | - Fatima Zahra Kamal
- Higher Institute of Nursing Professions and Health Techniques, Marrakesh 40000, Morocco
- Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Processes and Materials, Faculty of Sciences and Techniques, Hassan First University, B.P. 539, Settat 26000, Morocco
| | - Cezar Honceriu
- Faculty of Physical Education, Alexandru Ioan Cuza University of Iasi, Bd. Carol I no. 20A, 700505 Iasi, Romania;
| | - Alin Iordache
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Grigore T. Popa”, University Street No. 16, 700115 Iasi, Romania; (A.I.); (O.N.)
| | - Cătălina Ionescu
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Biology, Alexandru Ioan Cuza University of Iasi, Bd. Carol I no. 20A, 700505 Iasi, Romania; (A.C.); (C.I.)
- Clinical Department, Apollonia University, Păcurari Street 11, 700511 Iasi, Romania
| | - Bogdan Novac
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Grigore T. Popa”, University Street No. 16, 700115 Iasi, Romania; (A.I.); (O.N.)
| | - Otilia Novac
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Grigore T. Popa”, University Street No. 16, 700115 Iasi, Romania; (A.I.); (O.N.)
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Babity M, Zamodics M, Konig A, Kiss AR, Horvath M, Gregor Z, Rakoczi R, Kovacs E, Fabian A, Tokodi M, Sydo N, Csulak E, Juhasz V, Lakatos BK, Vago H, Kovacs A, Merkely B, Kiss O. Cardiopulmonary examinations of athletes returning to high-intensity sport activity following SARS-CoV-2 infection. Sci Rep 2022; 12:21686. [PMID: 36522351 PMCID: PMC9753018 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-24486-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2022] [Accepted: 11/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
After SARS-CoV-2 infection, strict recommendations for return-to-sport were published. However, data are insufficient about the long-term effects on athletic performance. After suffering SARS-CoV-2 infection, and returning to maximal-intensity trainings, control examinations were performed with vita-maxima cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET). From various sports, 165 asymptomatic elite athletes (male: 122, age: 20y (IQR: 17-24y), training:16 h/w (IQR: 12-20 h/w), follow-up:93.5 days (IQR: 66.8-130.0 days) were examined. During CPET examinations, athletes achieved 94.7 ± 4.3% of maximal heart rate, 50.9 ± 6.0 mL/kg/min maximal oxygen uptake (V̇O2max), and 143.7 ± 30.4L/min maximal ventilation. Exercise induced arrhythmias (n = 7), significant horizontal/descending ST-depression (n = 3), ischemic heart disease (n = 1), hypertension (n = 7), slightly elevated pulmonary pressure (n = 2), and training-related hs-Troponin-T increase (n = 1) were revealed. Self-controlled CPET comparisons were performed in 62 athletes: due to intensive re-building training, exercise time, V̇O2max and ventilation increased compared to pre-COVID-19 results. However, exercise capacity decreased in 6 athletes. Further 18 athletes with ongoing minor long post-COVID symptoms, pathological ECG (ischemic ST-T changes, and arrhythmias) or laboratory findings (hsTroponin-T elevation) were controlled. Previous SARS-CoV-2-related myocarditis (n = 1), ischaemic heart disease (n = 1), anomalous coronary artery origin (n = 1), significant ventricular (n = 2) or atrial (n = 1) arrhythmias were diagnosed. Three months after SARS-CoV-2 infection, most of the athletes had satisfactory fitness levels. Some cases with SARS-CoV-2 related or not related pathologies requiring further examinations, treatment, or follow-up were revealed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mate Babity
- Heart and Vascular Center, Semmelweis University, 68 Varosmajor Street, Budapest, 1122, Hungary
| | - Mark Zamodics
- Heart and Vascular Center, Semmelweis University, 68 Varosmajor Street, Budapest, 1122, Hungary
| | - Albert Konig
- Heart and Vascular Center, Semmelweis University, 68 Varosmajor Street, Budapest, 1122, Hungary
| | - Anna Reka Kiss
- Heart and Vascular Center, Semmelweis University, 68 Varosmajor Street, Budapest, 1122, Hungary
| | - Marton Horvath
- Heart and Vascular Center, Semmelweis University, 68 Varosmajor Street, Budapest, 1122, Hungary
| | - Zsofia Gregor
- Heart and Vascular Center, Semmelweis University, 68 Varosmajor Street, Budapest, 1122, Hungary
| | - Reka Rakoczi
- Heart and Vascular Center, Semmelweis University, 68 Varosmajor Street, Budapest, 1122, Hungary
| | - Eva Kovacs
- Heart and Vascular Center, Semmelweis University, 68 Varosmajor Street, Budapest, 1122, Hungary
| | - Alexandra Fabian
- Heart and Vascular Center, Semmelweis University, 68 Varosmajor Street, Budapest, 1122, Hungary
| | - Marton Tokodi
- Heart and Vascular Center, Semmelweis University, 68 Varosmajor Street, Budapest, 1122, Hungary
| | - Nora Sydo
- Heart and Vascular Center, Semmelweis University, 68 Varosmajor Street, Budapest, 1122, Hungary
- Department of Sports Medicine, Semmelweis University, 68 Varosmajor Street, Budapest, 1122, Hungary
| | - Emese Csulak
- Heart and Vascular Center, Semmelweis University, 68 Varosmajor Street, Budapest, 1122, Hungary
- Department of Sports Medicine, Semmelweis University, 68 Varosmajor Street, Budapest, 1122, Hungary
| | - Vencel Juhasz
- Heart and Vascular Center, Semmelweis University, 68 Varosmajor Street, Budapest, 1122, Hungary
| | - Balint Karoly Lakatos
- Heart and Vascular Center, Semmelweis University, 68 Varosmajor Street, Budapest, 1122, Hungary
| | - Hajnalka Vago
- Heart and Vascular Center, Semmelweis University, 68 Varosmajor Street, Budapest, 1122, Hungary
- Department of Sports Medicine, Semmelweis University, 68 Varosmajor Street, Budapest, 1122, Hungary
| | - Attila Kovacs
- Heart and Vascular Center, Semmelweis University, 68 Varosmajor Street, Budapest, 1122, Hungary
| | - Bela Merkely
- Heart and Vascular Center, Semmelweis University, 68 Varosmajor Street, Budapest, 1122, Hungary.
- Department of Sports Medicine, Semmelweis University, 68 Varosmajor Street, Budapest, 1122, Hungary.
| | - Orsolya Kiss
- Heart and Vascular Center, Semmelweis University, 68 Varosmajor Street, Budapest, 1122, Hungary
- Department of Sports Medicine, Semmelweis University, 68 Varosmajor Street, Budapest, 1122, Hungary
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Vidusa L, Kalejs O, Maca-Kaleja A, Strumfa I. Role of Endomyocardial Biopsy in Diagnostics of Myocarditis. Diagnostics (Basel) 2022; 12:diagnostics12092104. [PMID: 36140505 PMCID: PMC9497694 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics12092104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2022] [Revised: 07/29/2022] [Accepted: 08/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Endomyocardial biopsy as the cornerstone of diagnostics has been re-evaluated throughout the years, leaving unanswered questions on the precedence of it. The reported incidence of myocarditis has increased during the pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), reinforcing discussions on appropriate diagnostics of myocarditis. By analysis of evidence-based literature published within the last demi-decade, we aimed to summarize the most recent information in order to evaluate the current role of endomyocardial biopsy in diagnostics and management of myocarditis. For the most part, research published over the last five years showed ongoing uncertainty regarding the use, informativeness, safety and necessity of performing a biopsy. Special circumstances, such as fulminant clinical course or failure to respond to empirical treatment, were reconfirmed as justified indications, with a growing applicability of non-invasive diagnostic approaches for most other cases. We concluded that endomyocardial biopsy, if performed properly and with adjunct diagnostic methods, holds a critical role for treatment correction in specific histological subtypes of myocarditis and for differential diagnosis between immune-mediated myocarditis and secondary infections due to immunosuppressive treatment. A high level of possible misdiagnosing was detected, indicating the need to review terminology used to describe findings of myocardial inflammation that did not meet Dallas criteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liga Vidusa
- Department of Pathology, Riga Stradins University, 16 Dzirciema Street, LV-1007 Riga, Latvia
| | - Oskars Kalejs
- Department of Internal Medicine, Riga Stradins University, 16 Dzirciema Street, LV-1007 Riga, Latvia
- Latvian Centre of Cardiology, Pauls Stradins Clinical University Hospital, 13 Pilsonu Street, LV-1002 Riga, Latvia
| | - Aija Maca-Kaleja
- Department of Internal Medicine, Riga Stradins University, 16 Dzirciema Street, LV-1007 Riga, Latvia
- Latvian Centre of Cardiology, Pauls Stradins Clinical University Hospital, 13 Pilsonu Street, LV-1002 Riga, Latvia
| | - Ilze Strumfa
- Department of Pathology, Riga Stradins University, 16 Dzirciema Street, LV-1007 Riga, Latvia
- Correspondence:
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Šarčević Z, Tepavčević A. Increased number of electrocardiogram findings requiring additional cardiac examination in young athletes during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic: a case series. J Int Med Res 2021; 49:3000605211053280. [PMID: 34693778 PMCID: PMC8551426 DOI: 10.1177/03000605211053280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
We aimed to compare the results of electrocardiogram (ECG) examinations in young athletes from 2017 to 2020, which includes a period during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, with special attention to T-wave inversion that might be a sign of myocarditis. This was a retrospective observational study. We reviewed data of ECG examinations among 640 young athletes aged 10 to 14 years (160 in each year from 2017–2020). The setting was Novi Sad Sports Medicine Center in Serbia. We hypothesized that most young athletes with changes on ECG had asymptomatic COVID-19. In the group from 2020, there were significantly more ECG findings requiring additional cardiac examination, according to modern sports cardiology, compared with previous years. We describe one case of documented asymptomatic COVID-19 infection and with T-wave inversion in V4 and V5. The number of schoolchildren with asymptomatic COVID-19 infection might be high because most classes in Novi Sad were conducted face-to-face during 2020. Because a serious risk of myocarditis exists in young athletes, especially in relation to COVID-19 infection, a careful sports preparticipation examination is important to identify athletes possibly requiring additional testing and medical care prior to a return to sports.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zoran Šarčević
- Novi Sad Health Care Centre, Sports Medicine Centre, Novi Sad, Serbia.,Faculty of Medicine, University of Novi Sad, Novi Sad, Serbia
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Das BB. SARS-CoV-2 Myocarditis in a High School Athlete after COVID-19 and Its Implications for Clearance for Sports. CHILDREN (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2021; 8:427. [PMID: 34063781 PMCID: PMC8223786 DOI: 10.3390/children8060427] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2021] [Revised: 05/01/2021] [Accepted: 05/19/2021] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
This case report describes a high school athlete with palpitation, myalgia, fatigue, and dyspnea on exertion after SARS-CoV-2 infection with evidence of myocarditis by cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR), but echocardiography and troponin were normal. This case is unusual as the standard cardiac tests recommended by the American Heart Association for sports clearance, including ECG, echocardiography, and cardiac biomarkers, were normal. Still, she continued to be symptomatic after mild COVID-19. The CMR was performed to evaluate her unexplained palpitation and showed patchy myocardial edema two months after her initial SARS-CoV-2 infection. In this case, the diagnosis of myocardial involvement would be missed by normal echocardiograms and cardiac bio-markers without CMR. Because acute myocarditis is a risk factor for sudden death in competitive athletes, pediatric cardiologists should consider performing additional tests such as cardiac MRI in symptomatic COVID-19 patients, even if cardiac biomarkers and echocardiograms are normal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bibhuti B Das
- Department of Pediatrics, Heart Center, University of Mississippi Medical Center, 2500 North State Street, Jackson, MS 39216, USA
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