COVID-19 myocarditis cardiac magnetic resonance findings in symptomatic patients

Abstract

Background Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) may cause myocardial damage. Purpose To evaluate the short-term and medium-term results, as well as the imaging features of COVID-19 cardiac involvement, using cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR). Material and Methods In this study, laboratory and CMR findings of 15 patients with COVID-19 between May 2020 and May 2021 were evaluated retrospectively. Late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) imaging was evaluated for myocarditis. Cardiac functions were quantitatively evaluated and compared to the control patient group. High-sensitivity cardiac troponin I (Hs-cTnI), C-reactive protein (CRP) exchange, and LGE were compared. Results Fifteen patients (7 women; mean age = 38 years) were evaluated. Six patients were treated at home, while nine patients were treated in the hospital. The patients were given remdesivir and hydroxychloroquine treatment. LGE was detected in 2 (33%) patients treated at home and 5 (55.5%) patients treated in the hospital. In hospitalized patients, levels of Hs-cTnI (mean = 7.8 pg/mL) and CRP (mean = 32.3 mg/L) were elevated. A high correlation was observed between the increase in Hs-cTnI value and LGE ( r = 0.63; P < 0.001). A low correlation was observed between an increase in CRP and LGE ( r = 033; P < 0.001). There was no statistically significant difference in ventricular functions between the COVID-19 and control groups ( P < 0.001). Conclusion CMR abnormalities were found in a high percentage (46%) of patients with COVID-19. Myocardial abnormalities in patients with COVID-19 can be detected by CMR. For COVID-19 myocarditis, no specific diagnostic CMR imaging feature was observed.