"CV Sports Chat" is an interview series that includes expert discussions relative to sports and exercise cardiology and the health care management of athletes.*
Myocarditis has received increased attention during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. However, it has long been recognized as a risk factor for sudden cardiac death in athletes with this diagnosis. The decision to allow an athlete to return to play can be nuanced and challenging (Figure 1).
Figure 1
Return to Play in Athletes With Acute Myocarditis. Courtesy of Hasnie UA, Martinez MW.
Dr. Matt Martinez is the director of Atlantic Health System Sports Cardiology at Morristown Medical Center and a nationally recognized expert in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. The following is an interview with Dr. Martinez on his approach to "return to play in athletes with acute myocarditis."
How long is the time frame by which athletes can return to competitive action after their diagnosis of myocarditis?
Myocarditis is suspected in patients with cardiac signs and symptoms who present with a rise in cardiac biomarker levels, electrocardiographic (ECG) findings of acute myocardial injury, a new arrhythmia, or new ventricular systolic dysfunction.[1] It is a challenging clinical presentation to navigate because of marked heterogeneity.
As part of the return-to-play timeline, I generally use the resolution of symptoms as the starting point.
