Is extensive cardiopulmonary screening useful in athletes with previous asymptomatic or mild SARS-CoV-2 infection?. Issue 1 (5th October 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Gervasi, Salvatore Francesco; Pengue, Luca; Damato, Luca; Monti, Riccardo; Pradella, Silvia; Pirronti, Tommaso; Bartoloni, Alessandro; Epifani, Francesco; Saggese, Alessio; Cuccaro, Francesco; Bianco, Massimiliano; Zeppilli, Paolo; Palmieri, Vincenzo
• Is Part Of: British journal of sports medicine. Volume 55:Issue 1(2021)
• Page Start: 54
• Page End: 61
• Publication Date: 2020-10-05
• Subjects: athlete -- exercise testing -- heart disease -- prevention -- soccer; Sports medicine -- Periodicals; 617.1027
• DOI: 10.1136/bjsports-2020-102789
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0306-3674

Abstract

Abstract : Objective: During the COVID-19 pandemic, it is essential to understand if and how to screen SARS-CoV-2-positive athletes to safely resume training and competitions. The aim of this study is to understand which investigations are useful in a screening protocol aimed at protecting health but also avoiding inappropriate examinations. Methods: We conducted a cohort study of a professional soccer team that is based on an extensive screening protocol for resuming training during the COVID-19 pandemic. It included personal history, antigen swabs, blood tests, spirometry, resting/stress-test ECG with oxygen saturation monitoring, echocardiogram, Holter and chest CT. We also compared the findings with prior data from the same subjects before infection and with data from SARS-CoV-2-negative players. Results: None of the players had positive swab and/or anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgM class antibodies. Out of 30 players, 18 (60%) had IgG class antibodies. None had suffered severe SARS-CoV-2-related disease, 12 (66.7%) had complained of mild COVID-19-related symptoms and 6 (33.3%) were asymptomatic. None of the players we examined revealed significant cardiovascular abnormalities after clinical recovery. A mild reduction in spirometry parameters versus pre-COVID-19 values was observed in all athletes, but it was statistically significant (p<0.05) only in SARS-CoV-2-positive athletes. One SARS-CoV-2-positive player showed increased troponin I level, but extensive investigation did not show signs of myocardial damage. Conclusion: In this small cohort of athletes with previous asymptomatic/mild SARS-CoV-2 infection, a comprehensive screening protocol including blood tests, spirometry, resting ECG, stress-test ECG with oxygen saturation monitoring and echocardiogram did not identify relevant anomalies. While larger studies are needed, extensive cardiorespiratory and haematological screening in athletes with asymptomatic/mild SARS-CoV-2 infection appears unnecessary.