Evidence map›Paper›PMID 36888600›Full record

Observational studyPloS one2023

Cardiac magnetic resonance -detected myocardial injury is not associated with long-term symptoms in patients hospitalized due to COVID-19.

Aria Yar, Valtteri Uusitalo, Satu M Vaara, Miia Holmström, Aino-Maija Vuorinen, Tiina Heliö, Riitta Paakkanen, Sari Kivistö, Suvi Syväranta, Johanna Hästbacka

Open access · goldAbstract readObservational Study
In one paragraph

Observational study in PloS one, 2023. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 7 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
7citing papers in PubMed
1.9field-weighted citation impact, top 14% of its field
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

7 citing papers in PubMed, 9 citations in OpenAlex.

  1. Article
  2. Article
  3. Abnormal coronary vascular response in patients with long COVID syndrome - a case-control study using oxygenation-sensitive cardiovascular magnetic resonance.Journal of cardiovascular magnetic resonance : official journal of the Society for Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance · 2025
    Observational
  4. Review
  5. Review
  6. Article
  7. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

10 authors at 1 institution in 1 country.

Aria YarRadiology, HUS Diagnostic Center, Helsinki University Hospital and University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
Valtteri UusitaloRadiology, HUS Diagnostic Center, Helsinki University Hospital and University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.ORCID 0000-0001-7345-7122
Satu M VaaraRadiology, HUS Diagnostic Center, Helsinki University Hospital and University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
Miia HolmströmRadiology, HUS Diagnostic Center, Helsinki University Hospital and University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
Aino-Maija VuorinenRadiology, HUS Diagnostic Center, Helsinki University Hospital and University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
Tiina HeliöHeart and Lung Center, Helsinki University Hospital and University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
Riitta PaakkanenHeart and Lung Center, Helsinki University Hospital and University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
Sari KivistöRadiology, HUS Diagnostic Center, Helsinki University Hospital and University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
Suvi SyvärantaRadiology, HUS Diagnostic Center, Helsinki University Hospital and University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
Johanna HästbackaDepartment of Anesthesiology, Intensive Care and Pain Medicine, Helsinki University Hospital, and University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
University of Helsinki · FI

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundLong-term symptoms are frequent after coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). We studied the prevalence of post-acute myocardial scar on cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) in patients hospitalized due to COVID-19 and its association with long-term symptoms. MATERIALS AND

methodsIn this prospective observational single-center study, 95 formerly hospitalized COVID-19 patients underwent CMR imaging at the median of 9 months after acute COVID-19. In addition, 43 control subjects were imaged. Myocardial scar characteristic of myocardial infarction or myocarditis were noted from late gadolinium enhancement images (LGE). Patient symptoms were screened using a questionnaire. Data are presented as mean ± standard deviation or median (interquartile range).

resultsThe presence of any LGE was higher in COVID-19 patients (66% vs. 37%, p<0.01) as was the presence of LGE suggestive of previous myocarditis (29% vs. 9%, p = 0.01). The prevalence of ischemic scar was comparable (8% vs. 2%, p = 0.13). Only two COVID-19 patients (7%) had myocarditis scar combined with left ventricular dysfunction (EF <50%). Myocardial edema was not detected in any participant. The need for intensive care unit (ICU) treatment during initial hospitalization was comparable in patients with and without myocarditis scar (47% vs. 67%, p = 0.44). Dyspnea, chest pain, and arrhythmias were prevalent in COVID-19 patients at follow-up (64%, 31%, and 41%, respectively) but not associated with myocarditis scar on CMR.

conclusionsMyocardial scar suggestive of possible previous myocarditis was detected in almost one-third of hospital-treated COVID-19 patients. It was not associated with the need for ICU treatment, greater symptomatic burden, or ventricular dysfunction at 9 months follow-up. Thus, post-acute myocarditis scar on COVID-19 patients seems to be a subclinical imaging finding and does not commonly require further clinical evaluation.

Indexed as

COVID-19Heart InjuriesMyocarditisCicatrixContrast MediaGadoliniumHumansMagnetic Resonance ImagingMagnetic Resonance Imaging, CineMagnetic Resonance SpectroscopyPredictive Value of TestsVentricular Function, LeftContrast MediaGadolinium

Identifiers

PMID36888600
PMCPMC9994679
OpenAlexW4323532208

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY
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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.