When medical experts and the Atlantic Coast Conference recommended cardiac screening for college athletes after COVID-19 infection, UVA’s pediatric cardiology division stepped up to the plate. Over the past year, UVA’s pediatric cardiology division screened over 250 UVA athletes (and athletes from other local colleges) for evidence for COVID related cardiac injury. UVA was then able to use this experience to assist other medical providers nationally and internationally.
UVA helped author the first set of guidelines designed for pediatric patients after a COVID infection (Returning To Play After Coronavirus Infection: Pediatric Cardiologists’ Perspective – American College of Cardiology (acc.org)). UVA also contributed to the largest collegiate athlete registry, which demonstrated that the risk of myocardial injury after COVID is low (1-2%) and that most athletes can be cleared for participation (Moulson & Petek, et al, SARS-CoV-2 Cardiac Involvement in Young Competitive Athletes | Circulation (ahajournals.org), 2021).
While cardiac screening after a COVID infection is now recommended for only athletes with severe infections or cardiac symptoms, UVA pediatric cardiology plans to continue to use their experience to help youth, high school, and collegiate athletes throughout the state.
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