Schellenberg Jana, Matits Lynn, Bizjak Daniel A, Jenkins Freya S, Kersten Johannes
Division of Sports and Rehabilitation Medicine, University Hospital Ulm, 89081 Ulm, Germany.
Clinical & Biological Psychology, Institute of Psychology and Education, Ulm University, 89081 Ulm, Germany.
Biomedicines. 2024 Oct 11;12(10):2310. doi: 10.3390/biomedicines12102310.
BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Myocardial involvement has been observed in athletes following SARS-CoV-2 infection. It is unclear if these changes are due to myocardial damage per se or to an interruption in training. The aim of this study was to assess cardiac function and structure in elite athletes before and after infection (INFAt) and compare them to a group of healthy controls (CON).
Transthoracic echocardiography was performed in 32 elite athletes, including 16 INFAt (median 21.0 (19.3-21.5) years, 10 male) before (t) and 52 days after (t) mild SARS-CoV-2 infection and 16 sex-, age- and sports type-matched CON. Left and right ventricular global longitudinal strain (LV/RV GLS), RV free wall longitudinal strain (RV FWS) and left atrial strain (LAS) were assessed by an investigator blinded to patient history.
INFAt showed no significant changes in echocardiographic parameters between t and t, including LV GLS (-21.8% vs. -21.7%, = 0.649) and RV GLS (-29.1% vs. -28.7%, = 0.626). A significant increase was observed in LA reservoir strain (LASr) (35.7% vs. 47.8%, = 0.012). Compared to CON, INFAt at t had significantly higher RV FWS (-33.0% vs. -28.2%, = 0.011), LASr (47.8% vs. 30.5%, < 0.001) and LA contraction strain (-12.8% vs. -4.9%, = 0.050) values.
In elite athletes, mild SARS-CoV-2 infection does not significantly impact LV function when compared to their pre-SARS-CoV-2 status and to healthy controls. However, subtle changes in RV and LA strain may indicate temporary or training-related adaptions. Further research is needed, particularly focusing on athletes with more severe infections or prolonged symptoms.
背景/目的：在感染严重急性呼吸综合征冠状病毒2（SARS-CoV-2）的运动员中观察到心肌受累情况。尚不清楚这些变化是由于心肌本身的损伤还是训练中断所致。本研究的目的是评估精英运动员在感染前和感染后（感染后）的心脏功能和结构，并将其与一组健康对照者（对照组）进行比较。
对32名精英运动员进行经胸超声心动图检查，其中包括16名感染后（年龄中位数21.0（19.3 - 21.5）岁，10名男性）在轻度SARS-CoV-2感染前（t）和感染后52天（t）的运动员，以及16名性别、年龄和运动类型匹配的对照组。由对患者病史不知情的研究人员评估左、右心室整体纵向应变（LV/RV GLS）、右心室游离壁纵向应变（RV FWS）和左心房应变（LAS）。
感染后组在t和t之间的超声心动图参数无显著变化，包括左心室GLS（-21.8%对-21.7%，P = 0.649）和右心室GLS（-29.1%对-28.7%，P = 0.626）。左心房储存应变（LASr）显著增加（35.7%对47.8%，P = 0.012）。与对照组相比，感染后组在t时的右心室FWS（-33.0%对-28.2%，P = 0.011）、LASr（47.8%对30.5%，P < 0.001）和左心房收缩应变（-12.8%对-4.9%，P = 0.050）值显著更高。
在精英运动员中，与感染SARS-CoV-2前的状态和健康对照者相比，轻度SARS-CoV-2感染对左心室功能没有显著影响。然而，右心室和左心房应变的细微变化可能表明是暂时的或与训练相关的适应性变化。需要进一步研究，特别是关注感染更严重或症状持续时间更长的运动员。
