Society for Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance Lists Fast-SENC in New CMR-Protocols for Identifying Cardiac Damage in COVID-19 Patients

MORRISVILLE, N.C., September 24, 2020 – MyoStrain® was included in a new article published in the Journal of Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance (JCMR) by the Society of Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance (SCMR). The paper provides specific and detailed recommendations on the use of cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) protocols for the detection and characterization of cardiac dysfunction in patients with or recovering from coronavirus (COVID-19).[1]

Among the desired methods for identifying and monitoring the early signs of cardiac dysfunction, MyoStrain (f SENC) was recommended for its unique acquisition-based myocardial strain analysis. The non-invasive, 12-heartbeat MRI scan provides a direct, quantitative assessment of segmental myocardial deformation without requiring patient breath-hold contrast injection, or exposure to radiation.

Based on growing concerns for the cardiovascular effects of COVID-19, the SCMR recommendations aim at providing robust, non-invasive imaging methods for clinicians to evaluate structural and functional characteristics of the heart and inform future treatment decisions. The SCMR recommendations recognize the current limitations of traditional CMR protocols, where prolonged scan times and required breath-holding may become challenging due to the widely-documented respiratory effects of COVID-19 on patients.

Although the relationship between COVID-19 and cardiovascular disease is still uncertain, CMR-indications in COVID-19 patients in ventricular dysfunction, chest pain, myocarditis, pericarditis with some reports indicating potential myocardial injury during the acute phase COVID-19 as well as post-infection. CMR may be used to give medical experts a deeper understanding of the cardiovascular implications of COVID-19.

A recent study published in JAMA (Journal of the American Medical Association) Cardiology examined the cardiovascular consequences of COVID-19 on the heart, utilizing CMR imaging to observe changes in patient heart function after recovering from the virus.[2] The study found that 78% of patients had some form of cardiac involvement—or change, and 60% had ongoing myocardial inflammation, a sign of cardiac dysfunction. Of the 100-patient cohort, 53% of patients were male, and the average age was 49.

Another study conducted at Ohio State University utilized CMR protocols to assess 26 football athletes who had recently recovered from COVID-19.[3] Of the 26 athletes, 15% exhibited cardiac dysfunction consistent with myocarditis while another 30% showed signs of LGE suggesting prior cardiac dysfunction.

Because traditional CMR methods may be limited due to lengthy exam times and patient breath-holding requirements, the inclusion of MyoStrain in the CMR-protocols provides a clinical window of opportunity to support rapid cardiac testing without needing breath-holding from patients recovering from COVID-19.

[1] Kelle, S., et al. Society for Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance (SCMR) recommended CMR protocols for scanning patients with active or convalescent phase COVID-19 infection. J Cardiovasc Magn Reson 22, 61 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12968-020-00656-6

[2] Puntmann V, et al.  Outcomes of Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance in Patients Recently Recovered From Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). JAMA Cardiol. Published online July 27, 2020. doi:10.1001/jamacardio.2020.3557

[3] Rajpal S, et al. Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance Findings in Competitive Athletes Recovering From COVID-19 Infection. JAMA Cardiol. Published online September 11, 2020. doi:10.1001/jamacardio.2020.4916