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Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text., Background: Cardiac involvement among hospitalized patients with severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is common and associated with adverse outcomes. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and clinical implications of COVID-19 cardiac involvement in young competitive athletes. Methods: In this prospective, multicenter, observational cohort study with data from 42 colleges and universities, we assessed the prevalence, clinical characteristics, and outcomes of COVID-19 cardiac involvement among collegiate athletes in the United States. Data were collected from September 1, 2020, to December 31, 2020. The primary outcome was the prevalence of definite, probable, or possible COVID-19 cardiac involvement based on imaging definitions adapted from the Updated Lake Louise Imaging Criteria. Secondary outcomes included the diagnostic yield of cardiac testing, predictors for cardiac involvement, and adverse cardiovascular events or hospitalizations. Results: Among 19 378 athletes tested for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection, 3018 (mean age, 20 years [SD, 1 year]; 32% female) tested positive and underwent cardiac evaluation. A total of 2820 athletes underwent at least 1 element of cardiac triad testing (12-lead ECG, troponin, transthoracic echocardiography) followed by cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) if clinically indicated. In contrast, primary screening CMR was performed in 198 athletes. Abnormal findings suggestive of SARS-CoV-2 cardiac involvement were detected by ECG (21 of 2999 [0.7%]), cardiac troponin (24 of 2719 [0.9%]), and transthoracic echocardiography (24 of 2556 [0.9%]). Definite, probable, or possible SARS-CoV-2 cardiac involvement was identified in 21 of 3018 (0.7%) athletes, including 15 of 2820 (0.5%) who underwent clinically indicated CMR (n=119) and 6 of 198 (3.0%) who underwent primary screening CMR. Accordingly, the diagnostic yield of CMR for SARS-CoV-2 cardiac involvement was 4.2 times higher for a clinically indicated CMR (15 of 119 [12.6%]) versus a primary screening CMR (6 of 198 [3.0%]). After adjustment for race and sex, predictors of SARS-CoV-2 cardiac involvement included cardiopulmonary symptoms (odds ratio, 3.1 [95% CI, 1.2, 7.7]) or at least 1 abnormal triad test result (odds ratio, 37.4 [95% CI, 13.3, 105.3]). Five (0.2%) athletes required hospitalization for noncardiac complications of COVID-19. During clinical surveillance (median follow-up, 113 days [interquartile range=90 146]), there was 1 (0.03%) adverse cardiac event, likely unrelated to SARS-CoV-2 infection. Conclusions: SARS-CoV-2 infection among young competitive athletes is associated with a low prevalence of cardiac involvement and a low risk of clinical events in short-term follow-up.

Background: Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) is an important cause of myocardial infarction (MI) in women but rare in young healthy males. We report a case of a young male who presented with left hand tingling/numbness and was ultimately diagnosed with SCAD. Case Presentation: A 24-year-old male with history of asthma developed left hand tingling/numbness while playing basketball. This progressed to cold left upper extremity, prompting him to go to emergency room. Doppler ultrasound showed acute left brachial thrombus and emergent embolectomy of left brachial artery was done. Transesophageal echocardiogram, performed to investigate possible cardiac source of thrombus, showed normal ejection fraction, dyskinetic apex and biventricular thrombus (Figure 1A). Cardiac MRI revealed a large transmural MI in distribution of a wraparound left anterior descending artery (LAD) with associated regional akinesis of the left ventricular apex and an infarct in the right ventricular apex. Subsequent angiography revealed normal coronary arteries (Figure 1B) except a heterogenous linear filling defect in the apical LAD consistent with Type 1 SCAD (Figure 1C). No intervention was performed and the patient was treated conservatively. It was postulated that patient sustained an apical MI after SCAD of LAD, leading to formation of ventricular thrombi which then embolized to cause acute brachial artery thrombosis. Discussion: SCAD in young males is rare and can be a diagnostic challenge. Type 1 “pathognomic” angiographic finding in SCAD, is the classic appearance of multiple radiolucent lumens or arterial wall contrast staining. In case of inconclusive angiography, intravascular ultrasound or optical computed tomography can confirm diagnosis. Interventionalists should be familiar with angiographic appearance of SCAD as advanced imaging might not be available and in many cases, conservative management is preferred to percutaneous coronary intervention.

Background: Preliminary reports have suggested the role of annular calcium in independently predicting pacemaker implantation after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). Data regarding role of calcium in the aortic-valvular complex on pacemaker dependency is lacking. Hypothesis: Calcium volume and score in the aortic annular region predicts RV (right ventricle) pacing burden. Methods: We conducted a retrospective single-center study at our tertiary care center including patients who had new pacemaker implantation after TAVR procedure (n=47). Standard calcium scoring software was used to demarcate and quantify the calcium along the aortic cusps and subvalvular region and dichotomized into septal and non-septal based on proximity to the interventricular septum. Standard statistical tests were used for analysis with two-sided p-value Results: The mean age was 78.6 ± 10.3 years and females were 42.6%. At baseline, 44.7% had narrow QRS complex, with 31.9% had right bundle branch block (RBBB), 8.5% had left bundle branch block (LBBB). Median Pre-TAVR QRS duration was 112 ms. Median septal and non-septal calcium score were 646 and 474 with a volume of 441 mm 3 and 327.2 mm 3 , respectively. Patients with progression to complete heart block (CHB) during index admission had significantly higher non-septal volume (650 mm 3 vs 344 mm 3 ;p=0.01) and score (892 vs 485;p=0.01) when compared to progression after discharge. Similarly, the high burden of RV pacing (>40%) was associated with lower septal calcium score (989 vs 552, p= 0.03) and volume (717 mm 3 vs 385 mm 3 , p=0.03) within 3 months of TAVR. No septal or non-septal parameters were predictive of pacing burden for mid-term (3-12 months) and long-term (>12 months) follow up. Septal calcium parameters were not predictive of RV pacing burden or progression to CHB. Conclusion: Quantitative calcium in the non-septal and septal regions were predictive of early progression to CHB and a higher burden of RV pacing, respectively. Larger scale studies on calcium distribution and the burden should be performed to validate our findings.

Introduction: Left ventricular thrombus (LVT) is associated with a higher risk of ischemic stroke and peripheral embolization. Societal guidelines recommend the use of warfarin, with direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) only for patients unable to tolerate warfarin. Data on natural history and thrombus resolution with anticoagulation (AC), especially with DOACs is scarce. We studied the natural history of LVT with AC with emphasis on comparing warfarin and DOACs use. Methods: This is a single center, retrospective study conducted in an academic medical center. We identified patients (echocardiogram, CT or MRI) with a confirmed LVT study who were followed at our center. Chart review was conducted to collect clinical information at presentation and on follow up. Type and duration of anticoagulation, INR levels and clinical outcomes (bleeding, ischemic stroke or peripheral embolization, mortality) were recorded. Thrombus resolution on follow up imaging was also recorded. Results: LVT was confirmed in a total of 110 patients. Mean age was 59±14 years. 79% were men. Underlying etiology was chronic ischemic cardiomyopathy in 58%, non-ischemic cardiomyopathy in 23%. AC was started in 96 (87%) patients (in remaining patients AC was thought to be contraindicated). Of those on long-term AC, 60 patients (63%) were treated with warfarin, 3 patients (3%) with enoxaparin and 32 patients (33%) with a DOACs. At one year follow up, 11 patients (10%) had a stroke while on any AC. Two of these patients had hemorrhagic stroke (both on warfarin) and 9 patients had ischemic stroke. Of those with ischemic stroke 7 were on warfarin and 2 patients on DOACs had ischemic strokes. Of those with ischemic stroke on warfarin, 71% had subtherapeutic INR. The 1-year risk of any stroke was 15% in warfarin group (12% risk of ischemic stroke) compared to 6% in the DOACs group (p= 0.33). Total of 55 (57%) of patient started on AC had resolution of thrombus. 37 (63%) patients on warfarin and 18 (53%) on DOACs had resolution of thrombus (p= 0.85). Conclusions: One year risk of stroke with LVT is high (10%) even with AC. Most patients with ischemic stroke on warfarin had subtherapeutic INR. There was no statistical difference in stroke risk or rate of thrombus resolution between warfarin and DOACs treated patients.

Introduction: The Emory risk score has been developed to predict new pacemaker implantation in patients undergoing TAVR procedures. There is limited data on assessing risk of early versus late pacemaker implantation in these patients. Hypothesis: The Emory risk score is similar for patients with both early and late pacemaker implantation in TAVR patients. Methods: A single center observational study was performed at our tertiary care center. All patients who underwent pacemaker implantation after TAVR procedures were included. Patients were categorized as early or late if they had pacemaker implantation within the same admission versus implantation post discharge. Standard statistical tests were used for analysis with two-sided p value Results: A total of 97 patients were studied between January 2017 to April 2020. The mean age was 77.5 ± 7 years and females were 41.2%. At baseline patients with early implantation of pacemakers (n=66) had a higher proportion of underlying RBBB (45.2% vs 23.3%, p=0.43), higher valve size as well as a higher incidence of valve oversizing > 146% (43.9 % vs 19.4 %, p =0.23)when compared to patients with late pacemakers(n=31). There was no difference between patient characteristics, baseline comorbidities, pre procedural ECG parameters as well as use of beta blocking agents. Late pacemaker implantations were associated with a overall lower Emory Risk score (1.06±1.41 vs 1.70±1.35, p =0.037). Conclusions: The Emory Risk score is significantly different for early and late pacemaker implantation. Further studies are needed evaluate risk of late pacemaker implantation.