ACC Issues Guidance on Cardiovascular Sequelae of COVID-19

The American College of Cardiology has released a new Expert Consensus Decision Pathway (ECDP) to address the evaluation and management of some of the more common post-COVID cardiovascular consequences. 

Published March 16 in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, the effort was co-chaired by Ty Gluckman, MD, MHA, FACC, and Nicole M. Bhave, MD, FACC. Dr. Gluckman is the Curriculum Chair and Dr. Bhave is Section Editor for Valvular Heart Disease for K2P’s CurrentMD™ Cardiology CME/MOC course 

In the coming weeks, Drs. Gluckman and Bhave will be providing an “Expert Perspective” activity for CurrentMD Cardiology so that K2P learners can better understand what and how to manage patients with post-COVID cardiovascular complications. 

The document is comprehensive and specifically addresses myocarditis and other types of myocardial involvement (both post Covid-19 infection and post-vaccination), post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC), patient-centered approaches for long COVID, and guidance on “return to play” following COVID-19. 

“The best means to diagnose and treat myocarditis and long COVID following SARS-CoV-2 infection continues to evolve,” said Dr. Gluckman in an ACC press release. “This document attempts to provide key recommendations for how to evaluate and manage adults with these conditions, including guidance for safe return to play for both competitive and non-competitive athletes.”

Dr. Bhave has provided a “Ten Points to Remember” summary of the ECDP that can be found here. 

Congratulations from K2P to Drs. Gluckman and Bhave for this incredible accomplishment and important contribution to the cardiology world!