Athens Medical Center: Pioneering research study on professional football players who have contracted the SARS-CoV-2 virus
Athens March 29, 2021 – The research team of the Athens Medical Center conducted a pioneering study examining the impact of the coronavirus on the microcirculation of the heart, in football players of the professional football team of the Greek Super League, AEK FC.
The Interdisciplinary team of the Athens Medical Center, one of the few medical teams that have conducted a similar study, at a pan-European level, is composed of Messrs. Dimitris Tsiahris, Cardiologist, Interventional Electrophysiologist, Director of the Pacing Laboratory & Electrophysiology, Nikolaos Bondozoglou, Director of CT & Magnetic Tomography and Gregory Chatzantonis, Head of Magnetic Cardiac Imaging. On behalf of AEK FC, Mr. Grigoris Bogdanis, Occupational Physiologist participated, who ensured the optimal reintegration of the football players.
The 15 football players who were proven to have contracted COVID-19 were subjected to a full laboratory and cardiological examination immediately after the disease subsided, with the aim of their quickest and safest return to sports activities. After the thorough examination, the results were completely normal, completely clarifying the situation for the team’s football players.
At this point, we should mention that during the study, it was taken seriously that subclinical myocarditis is found in 5-20% of patients with COVID-19. Its existence significantly increases the risk of sudden events in athletes. This was the reason why a cardiac magnetic resonance imaging scan was performed under conditions of pharmacological fatigue (stress MRI).
Additionally, the presence of possible microvascular damage in the heart was examined, using an innovative sequence of fully automated quantitative assessment of myocardial perfusion. This specific assessment was provided by the pioneer company in the field of cardiac MRI assessment, Circle Cardiovascular Imaging Inc.
In the context of the implementation of the multidimensional Corporate Responsibility Program, the Athens Medical Group is the largest Medical Supporter of Sports Teams and Associations, thus ensuring the optimal medical coverage of athletes.
The medical staff of AEK FC, headed by Pantelis Nikolaou, Orthopaedic, Director of the Orthopaedic Clinic – Sports Injuries, Athens Medical Center and Haris Lalos, Orthopaedic, AEK FC Team Physician, is in close and daily collaboration with the cardiologists of the Athens Heart Center of the Athens Medical Center and specifically with Messrs. Stefanos Karagiannis, Cardiologist, Director of the Echocardiology Laboratory, and Dimitris Tsiahris, Cardiologist, Interventional Electrophysiologist, Director of the Pacing & Electrophysiology Laboratory, achieving a complete and thorough cardiac examination of all the team’s players.
Dr. Christodoulos Stefanadis, Cardiologist, Professor of Cardiology, Director of Athens Heart Center, Athens Medical Center, following the conduct of the pioneering study, stated, among other things: “Regarding the general population, the probability of obvious heart damage in the context of COVID 19 infection is 20% of hospitalized patients.
All these patients require a heart MRI check. Correspondingly, only 4-5% of all patients with COVID 19 have mild, hidden heart damage. What we recommend is that all convalescents undergo an electrocardiogram and triplex heart scan using newer techniques and, if pathological findings arise, a heart MRI be performed.”
For the Athens Medical Group, the safety of our patients, visitors and staff is a top priority. This is why we are implementing special precautionary measures against COVID-19 in all the Group’s clinics based on the strictest approved health protocols, so that their operation continues uninterrupted, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
