DEFENCE: Determination and Evaluation of the Frequency and Effects of myocardial damage iN patients with a SARS-CoV-2 infEction

It is currently largely unknown to what extent the heart is involved in COVID-19. Goal The aim of this project, funded by ZonMw, is to determine the occurrence and consequences of heart damage in patients who have experienced COVID-19. Research design Within DEFENCE, several large existing cohorts are brought together: from healthy top athletes and patients in the general population who have recovered from the infection at home to seriously ill patients who have been in hospital. Various tests are performed to detect heart damage, including an MRI scan of the heart. Patients will also receive questionnaires to unravel whether certain complaints, such as palpitations and chest pain in the period after COVID-19, are related to heart damage. By linking the data within this project with external data sources, it will be investigated whether patients after COVID-19 have an increased risk of cardiac complications in the short and long term.