Cardiovascular Imaging: COVID-19 patients show signs of heart damage after recovery | Late gadolinium enhancement

Cardiac involvement and myocardial inflammation are common in recovered COVID-19 patients, according to a new study published in JAMA Cardiology.

The multicenter study tracked data from more than 1,600 patients in 11 different states.

The team found that approximately one in seven heart scans revealed abnormalities expected to “have a major effect” on the patient’s survival and recovery.

Researchers have developed what they believe is the world’s smallest imaging device, a microscopic endoscope capable of scanning the inside of blood vessels.

Differentiating between actual signs of a COVID-19 infection and standard cardiac complications can be especially difficult.

Late gadolinium enhancement was associated with a greater risk of experiencing major cardiac events, including sudden cardiac death.

Researchers monitored how the heart and kidneys responded one day, three days, seven days and six weeks following an induced myocardial infarction. 

Cardiac CT exams can screen for osteoporosis while requiring "little change to normal clinical practice."