Lassen MCH, Skaarup KG, Lind JN, et al. - Right ventricular (RV) function and cardiac biomarkers are negatively affected by acute COVID-19 but resolution of COVID-19 results in their recovery. In contrast, no improvement in COVID-19 induced reduction in left ventricular (LV) function occurs post-COVID-19. Impairment in both LV and RV function remains when compared with the matched controls.

• A longitudinal study of patients hospitalized with COVID-19.

• COVID-19-free individuals matched 1:1 on age and gender to the participants were included as controls.

• An echocardiographic examination was performed during hospitalization and 2 months later.

• Resolution of COVID-19 was followed by improvement in RV function: tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) (2.28cm±0.40 vs 2.11cm±0.38) and longitudinal strain of the right ventricle (RVLS) (25.3%±5.5 vs 19.9%±5.8).

• In contrast, no significant improvement in LV systolic function assessed by global longitudinal strain (GLS) was evident (17.4±2.9 vs 17.6%±3.3).

• Reduction in NT-proBNP occurred between the two examinations.

• Elevated troponins were not identified in any of the participants at follow-up relative to 18 (27.7%) during hospitalization.

• There were significantly lower GLS, TAPSE, and RVLS among recovered COVID-19 patients compared with matched controls.