Role of cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging in COVID-19 recovered patients: A short-term follow-up study

Echocardiography. 2022 Nov;39(11):1401-1411. doi: 10.1111/echo.15466. Epub 2022 Oct 20.

Abstract

Objective: Cardiac involvement in recovered COVID-19 patients assessed by cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Methods: Subjects recently recovered from COVID-19 and with an abnormal left ventricular global longitudinal strain were enrolled. Cardiac MRI in all the enrolled subjects was done at baseline (within 30-90 days following recovery from COVID-19) with a follow-up scan at 6 months in individuals with an abnormal baseline scan. Additionally, 20 age-and sex-matched individuals were enrolled as healthy controls (HCs).

Results: All the 30 enrolled subjects were symptomatic during active COVID-19 disease and were categorized as mild: 11 (36.7%), moderate: 6 (20%), and severe: 13 (43.3%). Of the 30 patients, 16 (53.3%) had abnormal CMR findings. Myocardial edema was reported in 12 (40%) patients while 10 (33.3%) had late gadolinium enhancement (LGE). No difference was observed in terms of conventional left ventricular (LV) parameters; however, COVID-19-recovered patients had significantly lower right ventricular (RV) ejection fraction, RV stroke volume, and RV cardiac index compared to HCs. Follow-up scan was abnormal in 4/16 (25%) with LGE persisting in three patients (who had severe COVID-19 [3/4;75%]). Subjects with severe COVID-19 had a greater frequency of LGE (53.8%) and myocardial edema (61.5%) as compared to mild and moderate cases. Myocardial T1 (1284 ± 43.8 ms vs. 1147.6 ± 68.4 ms; p < .0001) and T2 values (50.8 ± 16.7 ms vs. 42.6 ± 3.6 ms; p = .04) were significantly higher in post COVID-19 subjects compared to HCs. Similarly, T1 and T2 values of severe COVID-19 patients were significantly higher compared to mild and moderate cases.

Conclusions: An abnormal CMR was seen in half of the recovered patients with persistent abnormality in one-fourth at 6 months. Our study suggests a need for closer follow-up among recovered subjects in order to evaluate for long-term cardiovascular sequelae. COVID-19 causes structural changes in the myocardium in a small segment of patients with partial spontaneous resolution.

Keywords: COVID-19; cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging; myocarditis; speckle tracking echocardiography.

MeSH terms

  • COVID-19* / complications
  • Contrast Media
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Gadolinium
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Cine* / methods
  • Myocardium / pathology
  • Predictive Value of Tests
  • Stroke Volume
  • Ventricular Function, Left

Substances

  • Contrast Media
  • Gadolinium