Munich heart professor explains Davies shock: what threatens the Bayern star

Created: 01/16/2022, 06:52

By: Andreas Beez

Munich defender Alphonso Davies holds his hands in front of his face.

© Matthias Balk/dpa

Renowned cardiologist: Professor Dr.

Alexander Leber from the Isar Clinic in Munich's Sonnenstraße.

© Achim Frank Schmidt

Bayern star Alphonso Davies has to pause for weeks because of heart muscle inflammation.

In tz and Münchner Merkur, a Munich heart professor explains the shock diagnosis.

Six weeks on the sofa instead of the stadium

Six weeks on the sofa instead of the stadium, although he doesn't feel like he's missing anything - for a very young and lightning-fast turbo athlete like Phonzie, that has to be the maximum penalty.

But from a medical point of view, the long break is unavoidable, otherwise the 21-year-old would even play with his life: "If you ignore acute myocarditis, severe heart failure can develop.

There is also a risk of cardiac arrhythmia, which can be fatal,” explains the renowned cardiologist Professor Alexander Leber from the Isar Clinic.

A similar case shocked tz readers in the spring.

At that time, a footballer (20) very likely died in his sleep as a result of heart muscle inflammation - triggered by a corona infection, as with Davies.

MRI examination confirms suspected diagnosis

But unlike Corona victim Pascal, Davies' myocarditis was discovered early.

According to tz information, the suspected diagnosis was confirmed with a special magnetic resonance imaging (cardiac MRI).

During this examination, the patient is placed in the tube.

But unlike computed tomography, which is used to assess the coronary arteries and assess the risk of a heart attack, MRI provides information about the condition of the heart muscle.

“In acute myocarditis, accumulations of fluid form, which appear as bright spots on the MRI images.

In addition, scarring on the surface of the heart muscle, which is caused by chronic inflammatory processes, can be visualized with contrast media,” explains Leber.

Heart Professor Leber: "Viruses like to hit the heart"

Inflammation of the heart muscle is often caused by viruses, including corona viruses, but also quite banal cold viruses.

"That's why the golden rule for feverish colds is that you shouldn't do any sport.

Because viruses like to hit the heart,” warns Leber.

“Then you have to take it easy until the myocarditis has healed.

Drugs are usually not necessary.” However, not every corona patient needs a heart MRI.

"It only makes sense if there has been a concrete suspicion of myocarditis beforehand, for example during an ultrasound examination," says Leber.