Non-COVID-19 cardiovascular pathology from return-to-play screening in college athletes after COVID-19
Authors' conclusion
Major non-COVID-19 cardiovascular pathology was identified in 1/500 college athletes undergoing return-to-play screening. In athletes without ECG abnormalities, TTE's added value was limited to pathological aortic root dilatation in 1/1000 athletes and minor abnormalities warranting surveillance in 1/160 athletes. Two-thirds of findings were incidental or of uncertain significance.
Study context
- Population
- College athletes with ECG and TTE after SARS-CoV-2 infection undergoing return-to-play screening, no pre-existing conditions (September 2020–June 2021)
- Participants
- 2,900 athletes
- Outcome
- Incidental non-COVID-19 CV pathology (major, minor, incidental or uncertain significance)
Methodological detailsmulticentre, nationwide, observational, 45 institutions
- Multicentre
- Nationwide
- Observational
- 45 institutions
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Non-COVID-19 CV pathology on ECG and TTE
- Major conditions overall
- 6 (0.2%)
- ECG abnormalities
- 35 (1.2%)
- ECG abnormal: TTE abnormalities indicating cardiomyopathy (hypertrophic-1, dilated-1)
- 2 (5.7%)
- ECG abnormal, normal TTE: AF
- 1
- Normal ECG
- 2865 (98.8%)
- Normal ECG: TTE abnormalities
- 54 (1.9%)
- Normal ECG: aortic root dilatation ≥40 mm
- 3 (5.6%)
- Normal ECG: minor abnormalities
- 15 (27.8%)
- Normal ECG: incidental findings
- 25 (46.3%)
- Normal ECG: findings of uncertain significance
- 11 (20.4%)
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Original publication
Non-COVID-19 cardiovascular pathology from return-to-play screening in college athletes after COVID-19. Heart. Published 17 July 2023. doi:10.
Summarised from the published abstract; every number is checked against it