Invasive Endotyping in Patients With Angina and No Obstructive Coronary Artery Disease: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: We investigated the usefulness of invasive coronary function testing to diagnose the cause of angina in patients with no obstructive coronary arteries. METHODS: Outpatients referred for coronary computed tomography angiography in 3 hospitals in the United Kingdom were prospectively screened. After coronary computed tomography angiography, patients with unobstructed coronary arteries, and who consented, underwent invasive endotyping. The diagnostic assessments included coronary angiography, fractional flow reserve (patient excluded if ≤0.80), and, for those without obstructive coronary artery disease, coronary flow reserve (abnormal <2.0), index of microvascular resistance (abnormal ≥25), and intracoronary infusion of acetylcholine (0.182, 1.82, and 18.2 µg/mL; 2 mL/min for 2 minutes) to assess for microvascular and coronary spasm. Participants were randomly assigned to disclosure of the results of the coronary function tests to the invasive cardiologist (intervention group) or nondisclosure (control group, blinded). In the control group, a diagnosis of vasomotor angina was based on medical history, noninvasive tests, and coronary angiography. The primary outcome was the between-group difference in the reclassification rate of the initial diagnosis on the basis of coronary computed tomography angiography versus the final diagnosis after invasive endotyping. The Seattle Angina Questionnaire summary score and Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire for Medication were secondary outcomes. RESULTS: Of 322 eligible patients, 250 (77.6%) underwent invasive endotyping; 19 (7.6%) had obstructive coronary disease, 127 (55.0%) had microvascular angina, 27 (11.7%) had vasospastic angina, 17 (7.4%) had both, and 60 (26.0%) had no abnormality. A total of 231 patients (mean age, 55.7 years; 64.5% women) were randomly assigned and followed up (median duration, 19.9 [12.6-26.9] months). The clinician diagnosed vasomotor angina in 51 (44.3%) patients in the intervention group and in 55 (47.4%) patients in the control group. After randomization, patients in the intervention group were 4-fold (odds ratio, 4.05 [95% CI, 2.32-7.24]; P<0.001) more likely to be diagnosed with a coronary vasomotor disorder; the frequency of this diagnosis increased to 76.5%. The frequency of normal coronary function (ie, no vasomotor disorder) was not different between the groups before randomization (51.3% versus 50.9%) but was reduced in the intervention group after randomization (23.5% versus 50.9%, P<0.001). At 6 and 12 months, the Seattle Angina Questionnaire summary score in the intervention versus control groups was 59.2±24.2 (2.3±16.2 change from baseline) versus 60.4±23.9 (4.6±16.4 change) and 63.7±23.5 (4.7±14.7 change) versus 66.0±19.3 (7.9±17.1 change), respectively, and not different between groups (global P=0.36). Compared with the control group, global treatment satisfaction was higher in the intervention group at 12 months (69.9±22.8 versus 61.7±26.9, P=0.013). CONCLUSIONS: For patients with angina and no obstructive coronary arteries, a diagnosis informed by invasive functional assessment had no effect on long-term angina burden, whereas treatment satisfaction improved. REGISTRATION: URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov; Unique identifier: NCT03477890.

Zibotentan in Microvascular Angina: A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Crossover Trial.

Background: Microvascular angina is associated with dysregulation of the endothelin system and impairments in myocardial blood flow, exercise capacity, and health-related quality of life. The G allele of the noncoding single nucleotide polymorphism RS9349379 enhances expression of the endothelin-1 gene (EDN1) in human vascular cells, potentially increasing circulating concentrations of Endothelin-1 (ET-1). Whether zibotentan, an oral ET-A receptor selective antagonist, is efficacious and safe for the treatment of microvascular angina is unknown. Methods: Patients with microvascular angina were enrolled in this double-blind, placebo-controlled, sequential crossover trial of zibotentan (10 mg daily for 12 weeks). The trial population was enriched to ensure a G allele frequency of 50% for the RS9349379 single nucleotide polymorphism. Participants and investigators were blinded to genotype. The primary outcome was treadmill exercise duration (seconds) using the Bruce protocol. The primary analysis estimated the mean within-participant difference in exercise duration after treatment with zibotentan versus placebo. Results: A total of 118 participants (mean ±SD; years of age 63.5 [9.2 ]; 71 [60.2% ] females; 25 [21.2% ] with diabetes) were randomized. Among 103 participants with complete data, the mean exercise duration with zibotentan treatment compared with placebo was not different (between-treatment difference, -4.26 seconds [95 ] CI, -19.60 to 11.06] P=0.5871). Secondary outcomes showed no improvement with zibotentan. Zibotentan reduced blood pressure and increased plasma concentrations of ET-1. Adverse events were more common with zibotentan (60.2%) compared with placebo (14.4%; P<0.001). Conclusions: Among patients with microvascular angina, short-term treatment with a relatively high dose (10 mg daily) of zibotentan was not beneficial. Target-related adverse effects were common.

Myocardial Involvement After Hospitalization for COVID-19 Complicated by Troponin Elevation: A Prospective, Multicenter, Observational Study.

BACKGROUND: Acute myocardial injury in hospitalized patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has a poor prognosis. Its associations and pathogenesis are unclear. Our aim was to assess the presence, nature, and extent of myocardial damage in hospitalized patients with troponin elevation. METHODS: Across 25 hospitals in the United Kingdom, 342 patients with COVID-19 and an elevated troponin level (COVID+/troponin+) were enrolled between June 2020 and March 2021 and had a magnetic resonance imaging scan within 28 days of discharge. Two prospective control groups were recruited, comprising 64 patients with COVID-19 and normal troponin levels (COVID+/troponin-) and 113 patients without COVID-19 or elevated troponin level matched by age and cardiovascular comorbidities (COVID-/comorbidity+). Regression modeling was performed to identify predictors of major adverse cardiovascular events at 12 months. RESULTS: Of the 519 included patients, 356 (69%) were men, with a median (interquartile range) age of 61.0 years (53.8, 68.8). The frequency of any heart abnormality, defined as left or right ventricular impairment, scar, or pericardial disease, was 2-fold greater in cases (61% [207/342]) compared with controls (36% [COVID+/troponin-] versus 31% [COVID-/comorbidity+]; P<0.001 for both). More cases than controls had ventricular impairment (17.2% versus 3.1% and 7.1%) or scar (42% versus 7% and 23%; P<0.001 for both). The myocardial injury pattern was different, with cases more likely than controls to have infarction (13% versus 2% and 7%; P<0.01) or microinfarction (9% versus 0% and 1%; P<0.001), but there was no difference in nonischemic scar (13% versus 5% and 14%; P=0.10). Using the Lake Louise magnetic resonance imaging criteria, the prevalence of probable recent myocarditis was 6.7% (23/342) in cases compared with 1.7% (2/113) in controls without COVID-19 (P=0.045). During follow-up, 4 patients died and 34 experienced a subsequent major adverse cardiovascular event (10.2%), which was similar to controls (6.1%; P=0.70). Myocardial scar, but not previous COVID-19 infection or troponin, was an independent predictor of major adverse cardiovascular events (odds ratio, 2.25 [95% CI, 1.12-4.57]; P=0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Compared with contemporary controls, patients with COVID-19 and elevated cardiac troponin level have more ventricular impairment and myocardial scar in early convalescence. However, the proportion with myocarditis was low and scar pathogenesis was diverse, including a newly described pattern of microinfarction. REGISTRATION: URL: https://www.isrctn.com; Unique identifier: 58667920.

Total Synthesis of Psammaplysins A, M, O, and Q and Ceratinamide A.

The psammaplysins are a unique class of brominated marine alkaloids bearing a signature 5/7-spiroisoxazoline-oxepine core linked to a variable tyramine-derived unit. Here, we report the total synthesis of several members of this family via a dipolar cycloaddition between an in situ generated nitrile oxide and an unusual seven-membered enediol diether dipolarophile. Carefully orchestrated oxidative transformation toward the fully functionalized spirocycle and direct coupling with tyramine-derived amines provides access to five representative family members, psammaplysins A, M, O, and Q and ceratinamide A, the latter four for the first time. Additionally, kinetic resolution of a late-stage intermediate enables the first asymmetric synthesis of (-)-psammaplysin A, thereby confirming its absolute configuration.

Post-COVID-19 illness and associations with sex and gender.

BACKGROUND: Post-COVID-19 syndromes have associated with female sex, but the pathophysiological basis is uncertain. AIM: There are sex differences in myocardial inflammation identified using cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) in post-COVID-19 patients, and in patient reported health outcomes following COVID-19 infection. DESIGN: This prospective study investigated the time-course of multiorgan injury in survivors of COVID-19 during convalescence. METHODS: Clinical information, blood biomarkers, and patient reported outcome measures were prospectively acquired at enrolment (visit 1) and 28-60 days post-discharge (visit 2). Chest computed tomography (CT) and CMR were performed at visit 2. Follow-up was carried out for serious adverse events, including death and rehospitalization. RESULTS: Sixty-nine (43%) of 159 patients recruited were female. During the index admission, females had a lower peak C-reactive protein (74 mg/l (21,163) versus 123 mg/l (70, 192) p = 0.008) and peak ferritin (229 µg/l (103, 551) versus 514 µg/l (228, 1122) p < 0.001). Using the Modified Lake-Louise criteria, females were more likely to have definite evidence of myocardial inflammation (54% (37/68) versus 33% (30/90) p = 0.003). At enrolment and 28-60 days post-discharge, enhanced illness perception, higher levels of anxiety and depression and lower predicted maximal oxygen utilization occurred more commonly in women. The mean (SD, range) duration of follow-up after hospital discharge was 450 (88) days (range 290, 627 days). Compared to men, women had lower rates of cardiovascular hospitalization (0% versus 8% (7/90); p = 0.018). CONCLUSIONS: Women demonstrated worse patient reported outcome measures at index admission and 28-60 days follow-up though cardiovascular hospitalization was lower.

What Is the Role of Assessing Ischemia to Optimize Therapy and Outcomes for Patients with Stable Angina and Non-obstructed Coronary Arteries?

Ischemic heart disease (IHD) is a leading global cause of ill-health and premature death. Clinical research into IHD is providing new insights into the pathophysiology, epidemiology and treatment of this condition. The major endotypes of IHD include coronary heart disease (CHD) and vasomotor disorders, including microvascular angina and vasospastic angina. Considering unselected patients presenting with stable chest pain, the pre-test probability of CHD is higher in men whereas the pre-test probability of a vasomotor disorder is higher in women. The diagnostic accuracy of diagnostic tests designed to assess coronary anatomy and disease and/or coronary vascular function (functional tests) differ for coronary endotypes. Clinical management should therefore be personalized and take account of sex-related factors. In this review, we consider the definitions of angina and myocardial ischemia. We then appraise the mechanistic links between myocardial ischemia and anginal symptoms and the relative merits of non-invasive and invasive diagnostic tests and related clinical management. Finally, we describe the rationale and importance of stratified medicine of IHD.

Cardiovascular outcomes of glucose lowering therapy in chronic kidney disease patients: a systematic review with meta-analysis.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) and cardiovascular disease share common risk factors such as hypertension, diabetes mellitus and dyslipidemia. Patients with CKD carry a high burden of cardiovascular disease and may be excluded from clinical trials on the basis of safety. There are an increasing number of clinical trials which predefine sub-group analysis for CKD. This systematic review with fixed-effect meta-analysis investigates glucose lowering therapy and cardiovascular outcomes in relation to CKD. We included randomized controlled trials (RCT) of glucose lowering treatments performed in adults (aged ≥18 years), humans, with no restriction on date, and English-language restriction in patients with pre-existing CKD regardless of diabetes status. Embase & Ovid Medline databases were searched up to April 2021. Risk of bias was assessed according to Revised Cochrane risk-of-bias tool. We included 7 trials involving a total of 48,801 participants. There were 4 sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2i), 2 glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1R) agonists and 1 Dipeptidyl-peptidase 4 (DPP4) inhibitor identified. SGLT2i (relative risk (RR) = 0.90, 95% confidence interval (CI) [0.79-1.02]) and GLP-1R agonists (RR = 0.83, 95% CI [0.72-0.96]) were associated with a reduction in cardiovascular death. SGLT2i (RR = 0.69, 95% CI [0.63-0.75]) are also associated with a reduction in hospitalization for heart failure. In summary, this meta-analysis of large, RCTs of glucose lowering therapies has demonstrated that treatment with SGLT2i or GLP-1R agonists may improve 3 point-MACE and cardiovascular outcomes in patients with chronic renal failure compared with placebo. This systematic review was registered with the PROSPERO network (registration number: CRD42021268563) and follows the PRISMA guidelines on systematic reviews and metanalysis.

Rationale and design of the British Heart Foundation (BHF) Coronary Microvascular Function and CT Coronary Angiogram (CorCTCA) study.

Microvascular and/or vasospastic anginas are relevant causes of ischemia with no obstructive coronary artery disease (INOCA) in patients after computed tomography coronary angiography (CTCA). OBJECTIVES: Our research has 2 objectives. The first is to undertake a diagnostic study, and the second is to undertake a nested, clinical trial of stratified medicine. DESIGN: A prospective, multicenter, randomized, blinded, sham-controlled trial of stratified medicine (NCT03477890) will be performed. All-comers referred for clinically indicated CTCA for investigation of suspected coronary artery disease (CAD) will be screened in 3 regional centers. Following informed consent, eligible patients with angina symptoms are enrolled before CTCA and remain eligible if CTCA excludes obstructive CAD. Diagnostic study: Invasive coronary angiography involving an interventional diagnostic procedure (IDP) to assess for disease endotypes: (1) angina due to obstructive CAD (fractional flow reserve ≤0.80); (2) microvascular angina (coronary flow reserve <2.0 and/or index of microvascular resistance >25); (3) microvascular angina due to small vessel spasm (acetylcholine); (4) vasospastic angina due to epicardial coronary spasm (acetylcholine); and (5) noncoronary etiology (normal coronary function). The IDP involves direct invasive measurements using a diagnostic coronary guidewire followed by provocation testing with intracoronary acetylcholine. The primary outcome of the diagnostic study is the reclassification of the initial CTCA diagnosis based on the IDP. Stratified medicine trial: Participants are immediately randomized 1:1 in the catheter laboratory to therapy stratified by endotype (intervention group) or not (control group). The primary outcome of the trial is the mean within-subject change in Seattle Angina Questionnaire score at 6 months. Secondary outcomes include safety, feasibility, diagnostic utility (impact on diagnosis and certainty), and clinical utility (impact on treatment and investigations). Health status assessments include quality of life, illness perception, anxiety-depression score, treatment satisfaction, and physical activity. Participants who are not randomized will enter a follow-up registry. Health and economic outcomes in the longer term will be assessed using electronic patient record linkage. VALUE: CorCTCA will prospectively characterize the prevalence of disease endotypes in INOCA and determine the clinical value of stratified medicine in this population.

Rationale and design of the Medical Research Council's Precision Medicine with Zibotentan in Microvascular Angina (PRIZE) trial.

Microvascular angina is caused by cardiac small vessel disease, and dysregulation of the endothelin system is implicated. The minor G allele of the non-coding single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs9349379 enhances expression of the endothelin 1 gene in human vascular cells, increasing circulating concentrations of ET-1. The prevalence of this allele is higher in patients with ischemic heart disease. Zibotentan is a potent, selective inhibitor of the ETA receptor. We have identified zibotentan as a potential disease-modifying therapy for patients with microvascular angina. METHODS: We will assess the efficacy and safety of adjunctive treatment with oral zibotentan (10 mg daily) in patients with microvascular angina and assess whether rs9349379 (minor G allele; population prevalence ~36%) acts as a theragnostic biomarker of the response to treatment with zibotentan. The PRIZE trial is a prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, sequential cross-over trial. The study population will be enriched to ensure a G-allele frequency of 50% for the rs9349379 SNP. The participants will receive a single-blind placebo run-in followed by treatment with either 10 mg of zibotentan daily for 12 weeks then placebo for 12 weeks, or vice versa, in random order. The primary outcome is treadmill exercise duration using the Bruce protocol. The primary analysis will assess the within-subject difference in exercise duration following treatment with zibotentan versus placebo. CONCLUSION: PRIZE invokes precision medicine in microvascular angina. Should our hypotheses be confirmed, this developmental trial will inform the rationale and design for undertaking a larger multicenter trial.

Sex differences in procedural and clinical outcomes following rotational atherectomy.

AIM: Evaluate sex differences in procedural net adverse clinical events and long-term outcomes following rotational atherectomy (RA). METHODS AND RESULTS: From August 2010 to 2016, 765 consecutive patients undergoing RA PCI were followed up for a median of 4.7 years. 285 (37%) of subjects were female. Women were older (mean 76 years vs. 72 years; p < .001) and had more urgent procedures (64.6 vs. 47.3%; p < .001). Females received fewer radial procedures (75.1 vs. 85.1%; p < .001) and less intravascular imaging guidance (16.8 vs. 25.0%; p = .008). After propensity score adjustment, the primary endpoint of net adverse cardiac events (net adverse clinical events: all-cause death, myocardial infarction, stroke, target vessel revascularization plus any procedural complication) occurred more often in female patients (15.1 vs. 9.0%; adjusted OR 1.81 95% CI 1.04-3.13; p = .037). This was driven by an increased risk of procedural complications rather than procedural major adverse cardiac events (MACE). Specifically, women were more likely to experience coronary dissection (4.6 vs. 1.3%; p = .008), cardiac tamponade (2.1 vs. 0.4%; p = .046) and significant bleeding (BARC ≥2: 5.3 vs. 2.3). Despite this, overall MACE-free survival was similar between males and females (adjusted HR 1.03; 95% CI 0.80-1.34; p = .81). Procedural complications during RA were associated with almost double the incidence of MACE at long-term follow-up (HR 1.92; 95% CI 1.34-2.77; p < .001). CONCLUSION: Women may be at greater risk of procedural complications following rotational atherectomy. These include periprocedural bleeding episodes and coronary perforation leading to cardiac tamponade. Despite this, the adjusted overall long-term survival free of major adverse cardiac events was similar between males and females.

Do Postoperative Antibiotics Decrease the Frequency of Inflammatory Complications Following Third Molar Removal?

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to answer the following clinical question: among patients who have their third molars (M3s) removed, do those who receive only postoperative antibiotics compared with those who receive no perioperative antibiotics have a lower frequency of postoperative inflammatory complications? MATERIALS AND METHODS: The authors designed and implemented a prospective cohort study and enrolled a sample of patients who had at least 1 M3 removed in an ambulatory private practice setting from June 2011 through May 2012 by oral and maxillofacial surgeons participating in a practice-based research collaborative. The predictor variable was postoperative antibiotic use categorized as postoperative antibiotics alone or no antibiotics. The primary outcome variable was the presence or absence of an inflammatory complication (ie, alveolar osteitis or surgical site infection) after M3 removal. Descriptive, bivariate, and multiple logistic regression statistics (adjusted for clustering within surgical practices) were computed to measure the association between postoperative antibiotic use alone and inflammatory complications after M3 removal, with statistical significance set at a P value less than or equal to .05. RESULTS: The study sample was composed of 1,877 patients having 5,631 M3s removed, of which 61% received postoperative antibiotics only. The overall inflammatory complication frequencies in the groups receiving postoperative antibiotic only and no antibiotic were 4.3 and 7.5%, respectively (P = .003). After adjusting for differences between the 2 study groups and clustering of patients within surgical practices, postoperative antibiotic use was associated with a 40% decreased risk of developing postoperative inflammatory complications (P = .04) with marginal statistical significance. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggest that postoperative antibiotic therapy is associated with a statistically meaningful decreased risk of inflammatory complications after M3 removal compared with no antibiotic therapy.

Single fraction spine stereotactic ablative body radiotherapy with volumetric modulated arc therapy.

This study investigated a single institution's experience with volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) directed stereotactic ablative body radiotherapy (SABR) for vertebral metastases. From 2010 to 2014, 95 lesions of spinal metastases in 73 patients were treated with SABR using VMAT. Clinical local control, pain level, and use of steroid medication were employed to evaluate treatment responses. The majority (79%) of patients were treated with a radiation dose of 20 Gy in a single fraction. However, when normal tissue constraints could not be achieved, the dose was reduced to 18 Gy (11%) or 16 Gy (8%) in 1 fraction. At the median follow up of 12.7 months (mean 18.0, range 1-56 months), clinical local control was 97% (92 out of 95). There was a mean 81% (median 100%, range 28-100%) decrease in subjective pain score. Seventy-seven percent of patients had a decrease in narcotic pain medication use. Pain was completely resolved at the treatment site for 69% (66/95) of patients. Prior to the SABR treatment, 33% (31/95) of patients had epidural extension of tumor. Among patients with epidural involvement, 45% (14/31) exhibited neurologic impairment prior to treatment. Twenty-three percent (7/31) experienced spinal cord compression. Prior to treatment, 34 patients experienced some form of neurologic impairment. Of these patients, 24% (8/34) experienced improved motor functioning; the remaining 76% (26/34) of patients' neurological dysfunction were stable. Our results indicate the SABR regimen using VMAT technique is clinically effective in achieving clinical local control and palliation. This is the first publication reporting clinical outcomes of VMAT directed SABR.

Stratified medicine for acute and chronic coronary syndromes: A patient-tailored approach.

The traditional approach to management of cardiovascular disease relies on grouping clinical presentations with common signs and symptoms into pre-specified disease pathways, all uniformly treated according to evidence-based guidelines ("one-size-fits-all"). The goal of precision medicine is to provide the right treatment to the right patients at the right time, combining data from time honoured sources (e.g., history, physical examination, imaging, laboratory) and those provided by multi-omics technologies. In patients with ischemic heart disease, biomarkers and intravascular assessment can be used to identify endotypes with different pathophysiology who may benefit from distinct treatments. This review discusses strategies for the application of stratified management to patients with acute and chronic coronary syndromes.

Cardiovascular sequelae of trastuzumab and anthracycline in long-term survivors of breast cancer.

OBJECTIVES: Long-term follow-up of patients treated with trastuzumab largely focuses on those with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) on treatment completion. This study sought to evaluate the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors, overt cardiovascular disease and cardiac imaging abnormalities using cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR), in participants with normal LVEF on completion of trastuzumab±anthracycline therapy at least 5 years previously. METHODS: Participants with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-positive breast cancer treated with trastuzumab±anthracycline ≥5 years previously were identified from a clinical database. All participants had normal LVEF prior to, and on completion of, treatment. Participants underwent clinical cardiovascular evaluation, ECG, cardiac biomarker evaluation and CMR. Left ventricular systolic dysfunction (LVSD) was defined as LVEF <50%. RESULTS: Forty participants were recruited between 15 March 2021 and 19 July 2022. Median time since completion of trastuzumab was 7.8 years (range 5.9-10.8 years) and 90% received prior anthracycline. 25% of participants had LVSD; median LVEF was 55.2% (Q1-Q3, 51.3-61.2). 30% of participants had N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide >125 pg/mL and 8% had high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T >14 ng/L. 33% of participants had a new finding of hypertension. 58% had total cholesterol >5.0 mmol/L, 43% had triglycerides >1.7 mmol/L and 5% had a new diagnosis of diabetes. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of asymptomatic LVSD, abnormal cardiac biomarkers and cardiac risk factors in participants treated with trastuzumab and anthracycline at least 5 years previously is common, even in those with normal LVEF on completion of treatment. Our findings reinforce the relevance of comprehensive evaluation of cardiovascular risk factors following completion of cancer therapy, in addition to LVEF assessment.

Clinical Significance of Myocardial Injury in Patients Hospitalized for COVID-19: A Prospective, Multicenter, Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: Hospitalized COVID-19 patients with troponin elevation have a higher prevalence of cardiac abnormalities than control individuals. However, the progression and impact of myocardial injury on COVID-19 survivors remain unclear. OBJECTIVES: This study sought to evaluate myocardial injury in COVID-19 survivors with troponin elevation with baseline and follow-up imaging and to assess medium-term outcomes. METHODS: This was a prospective, longitudinal cohort study in 25 United Kingdom centers (June 2020 to March 2021). Hospitalized COVID-19 patients with myocardial injury underwent cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) scans within 28 days and 6 months postdischarge. Outcomes were tracked for 12 months, with quality of life surveys (EuroQol-5 Dimension and 36-Item Short Form surveys) taken at discharge and 6 months. RESULTS: Of 342 participants (median age: 61.3 years; 71.1% male) with baseline CMR, 338 had a 12-month follow-up, 235 had a 6-month CMR, and 215 has baseline and follow-up quality of life surveys. Of 338 participants, within 12 months, 1.2% died; 1.8% had new myocardial infarction, acute coronary syndrome, or coronary revascularization; 0.8% had new myopericarditis; and 3.3% had other cardiovascular events requiring hospitalization. At 6 months, there was a minor improvement in left ventricular ejection fraction (1.8% ± 1.0%; P < 0.001), stable right ventricular ejection fraction (0.4% ± 0.8%; P = 0.50), no change in myocardial scar pattern or volume (P = 0.26), and no imaging evidence of continued myocardial inflammation. All pericardial effusions (26 of 26) resolved, and most pneumonitis resolved (95 of 101). EuroQol-5 Dimension scores indicated an overall improvement in quality of life (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Myocardial injury in severe hospitalized COVID-19 survivors is nonprogressive. Medium-term outcomes show a low incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events and improved quality of life. (COVID-19 Effects on the Heart; ISRCTN58667920).