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. 2022 May-Jun:72:13-15.
doi: 10.1016/j.jelectrocard.2022.02.005. Epub 2022 Feb 19.

Electrocardiographic findings in young competitive athletes during acute SARS-CoV-2 infection

Bradley J Petek  1 , Nathaniel Moulson  2 , Aaron L Baggish  1 , Jonathan A Drezner  3 , Kimberly G Harmon  3 , Christian F Klein  4 , Stephanie A Kliethermes  5 , Manesh R Patel  6 , Timothy W Churchill  7
Affiliations

Electrocardiographic findings in young competitive athletes during acute SARS-CoV-2 infection

Bradley J Petek et al. J Electrocardiol. 2022 May-Jun.

Abstract

Initial guidelines recommended a 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) in young competitive athletes following SARS-CoV-2 infection to screen for myocarditis. However, no data are available that detail ECG findings before and after SARS-CoV-2 infection in young athletes without clinical or imaging evidence of overt myocarditis. This study applied the International Criteria for ECG interpretation in a cohort of 378 collegiate athletes to compare ECG findings at baseline and during the acute phase of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Our results suggest that ECG changes can occur in the absence of definitive SARS-CoV-2 cardiac involvement in young competitive athletes.

Keywords: Athlete; Exercise; Myocarditis; SARS-CoV-2; Sudden cardiac arrest.

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Conflict of interest statement

None.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Results of Electrocardiographic Testing in Athletes During Acute SARS-CoV-2 Infection. A. ECG Testing Results in Athletes with Normal Baseline Pre-Infection ECG. *Abnormal TWI included 4 isolated anterior TWI, 1 anterolateral and inferior TWI, 1 anterior and inferior TWI. ST-depressions were all inferior in location. B. ECG Testing Results in Athletes with Abnormal Baseline Pre-Infection ECG. †Pathologic q waves were lateral and ST depressions were inferior in 2 athletes and anterior and inferior in 1 athlete. Definition of Abbreviations: ECG = electrocardiogram, LAD = left axis deviation, LAE = left atrial enlargement, PVC = premature ventricular contraction, RAD = right axis deviation, RAE = right atrial enlargement, RBBB = right bundle branch block, TWI = T-wave inversions.
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