Mid-term impact of mild-moderate COVID-19 on cardiorespiratory fitness in élite athletes.

BACKGROUND: Mid- and long-term sequelae of COVID-19 on cardiorespiratory fitness are unknown. Aim of the study was to assess the mid-term impact of mild-moderate COVID-19 on cardiorespiratory fitness evaluated by cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) in élite athletes. METHODS: 13 elite cross-country skiers with previous mild-moderate COVID-19 symptoms underwent CPET before resuming seasonal training (COVID athletes). 13 élite detrained cross-country skiers, matched for principal confounding factors, were taken as controls (control group). Resting peripheral oxygen saturation, pulmonary function test, echocardiography, bioelectrical impedance analysis and CPET (modified XELG2, Woodway, USA) were performed in all participants. RESULTS: Median recovery time in COVID athletes was 34 days (IQR 33-38 days). COVID athletes reached earlier the onset of the aerobic threshold (4'48" vs. 6'28", R2=0.15, F=4.37, P<0.05) than controls, whereas the time to anaerobic threshold and maximal efforts did not significantly differ between groups. Oxygen consumption was lower at the aerobic threshold in COVID athletes than controls (VO2/kg 28.6 mL/min vs. 38.9 mL/min, R2=0.39, F=15.34, P<0.01), whereas no significant difference between groups was found both at the aerobic threshold and at peak exercise (all P<0.05). Findings from resting echocardiography and pulmonary function test were similar between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Élite cross-country athletes, previously affected by mild-moderate COVID-19, reached earlier the aerobic threshold than controls, whereas the remaining CPET parameters did not differ between groups. Such changes were not associated with any detectable difference in resting pulmonary and cardiac examination. Subjects affected by mild-moderate COVID-19 may require a longer time course of re-adaptation to aerobic exercise.

Branch Retinal Artery Occlusion after Percutaneous Coronary Intervention.

We report a case of branch retinal artery occlusion (BRAO) that occurred after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). A 59-year-old man with no other previous diseases presented visual acuity deterioration in the left eye 24 hours after PCI. Fundus examination revealed ischemia at the temporal branch of the retinal artery associated with inner layer edema. Prompt treatment was performed with ocular digital massage and paracentesis of the anterior chamber. However, at discharge, the patient had a persistent visual loss with a central scotoma that persisted at 35-day follow-up without improvement of the visual acuity. The patient did not suffer from any other systemic complications. Retinal infarction should be considered a potential complication of PCI. Patients and health care providers should be aware of any visual signs. Permanent visual disability can be prevented by immediate diagnosis and prompt intervention.