PET imaging uncovers a surprising new way COVID-19 affects the heart
A prior COVID-19 infection is associated with a heightened risk of microvascular dysfunction and reduced myocardial flow reserve (MFR), according to a new analysis published in JACC: Cardiovascular Imaging.[1]
The study’s authors examined data from nearly 400 patients who were evaluated with PET imaging. While 101 of those patients had a prior COVID-19 infection, and still had lingering symptoms, the remaining patients had no prior COVID-19 infection.
For the COVID-19 patients, the median number of days between diagnosis and undergoing PET imaging was 190 days. Chest pain was the most common reason these patients underwent PET imaging—66% of the COVID-19 patients had chest pain, and 54% of the control patients had chest pain—followed by dyspnea (41% vs. 37%).
Overall, the authors found, reduced global MFR was seen in 58% of COVID-19 patients and 28% of control patients. Global MFR normalized to the patients’ rate systolic blood pressure product was seen in 44% of COVID-19 patients and 26% of control patients.
In addition, after a median follow-up period of 323 days, the annualized rate of major cardiovascular events was higher among COVID-19 patients.
“We were surprised with the consistency of reduced blood flow in post-COVID patients within the study,” corresponding author Mouaz Al-Mallah, MD, director of cardiovascular PET at Houston Methodist DeBakey Heart and Vascular Center and president elect of the American Society of Nuclear Cardiology, said in a prepared statement. “The findings bring new questions, but also help guide us toward further studying blood flow in COVID-19 patients with persistent symptoms.”
The group’s work was partially funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Its members noted that additional research, including more clinical trials, are still needed to examine the long-term impact COVID-19 can have on a patient's heart.
Additional COVID-19 research, including a detailed photo gallery of clinical imaging presentations, is available here
Michael has more than 18 years of experience as a professional writer and editor. He has written at length about cardiology, radiology, artificial intelligence and other key healthcare topics.