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Behers BJ, Patrick GA, Jones JM, Carr RA, Behers BM, Melchor J, Rahl DE, Guerriero TD, Zhang H, Ozkardes C, Thomas ND, Sweeney MJ. Myocarditis Following COVID-19 Vaccination: A Systematic Review of Case Reports. THE YALE JOURNAL OF BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE 2022; 95:237-247. [PMID: 35782472 PMCID: PMC9235262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Introduction: COVID-19, the infectious disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), often presents with a spectrum of symptoms at varying levels of severity, ranging from asymptomatic patients to those with fatal complications, such as myocarditis. With increased availability of COVID-19 vaccines, the awareness of possible side effects has expanded as reports surface. This study reviewed cases of myocarditis following COVID-19 vaccination and with existing literature on COVID-19 infection-induced myocarditis to compare clinical courses and analyze possible mechanisms of action. Methods: A systematic review of literature was conducted to identify published case reports (as of February 3, 2022) pertaining to the development of myocarditis following COVID-19 vaccination with either Pfizer or Moderna for an in-depth analysis. Additional subgroup analyses were conducted based on age, past medical history, vaccine manufacturer, and dose number. Results: There were 53 eligible case reports that were included in this study. Patients were mostly male with a median age of 24 years, and the most reported symptom upon presentation was chest pain. Seventy percent of the cases involved the Pfizer vaccine with a majority of myocarditis developing subsequent to second dose. Resolution of symptoms was achieved in all but one patient. Clinical severity, as measured primarily by left ventricular ejection fraction, appeared to be worse among adult patients than pediatric, as well as for patients with comorbidities. Conclusion: This study revealed an observable association between COVID-19 vaccines and myocarditis. However, the clinical course and prognosis seem favorable and less prevalent than those conferred from natural infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin J. Behers
- Florida State University College of Medicine,
Tallahassee, FL, USA,To whom all correspondence should be addressed:
Benjamin J. Behers, Florida State University College of Medicine, Tallahassee,
FL;
| | | | - Jared M. Jones
- Florida State University College of Medicine,
Tallahassee, FL, USA
| | - Rachel A. Carr
- Florida State University College of Medicine,
Tallahassee, FL, USA
| | - Brett M. Behers
- University of South Florida College of Medicine, Tampa,
FL, USA
| | - Julian Melchor
- Florida State University College of Medicine,
Tallahassee, FL, USA
| | - Delaney E. Rahl
- Florida State University College of Medicine,
Tallahassee, FL, USA
| | | | | | - Cuneyt Ozkardes
- Florida State University College of Medicine,
Tallahassee, FL, USA
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Morello R, Pepe M, Martino L, Lazzareschi I, Chiaretti A, Gatto A, Curatola A. COVID-19 review shows that benefits of vaccinating children and adolescents appear to outweigh risks of post-vaccination myopericarditis. Acta Paediatr 2022; 111:1846-1852. [PMID: 35735066 PMCID: PMC9350405 DOI: 10.1111/apa.16462] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2022] [Revised: 05/31/2022] [Accepted: 06/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
AIM Myopericarditis after COVID-19 vaccination were the most serious adverse events reported in children over 5 years of age. We want summarize these cases, describing their incidence, clinical features, diagnostic pathways, therapeutic strategies and outcome. METHODS A systematic review of the literature was conducted until 20 March 2022 by bibliographic electronic databases. We included all reports of post-vaccination myopericarditis in children aged between 5 and 18 years. RESULTS All reported cases had elevated serum Troponin levels, associated with electrocardiogram changes, but often with normal echocardiogram. Cardiac magnetic resonance images always showed typical alterations. The pathogenetic mechanism is still unknown. Myocarditis following post-COVID vaccination is more frequent in males with an average age of about 15 years. Treatment involves the usage of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and the average hospitalization is about 3 days. The long-term consequences are not yet known, so these patients should be studied in a cardiological follow up and abstention from physical activity should be recommended. CONCLUSION The benefits of COVID-19 vaccination in children and adolescents appear to outweigh the risk of developing post-vaccination myopericarditis. We can also speculate a possible approval of vaccination in children under 5 years for the coming winter.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosa Morello
- Department of Pediatrics, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario "Agostino Gemelli", I.R.C.C.S., Università Cattolica Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Mara Pepe
- Department of Pediatrics, Università Cattolica Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Laura Martino
- Department of Pediatrics, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario "Agostino Gemelli", I.R.C.C.S., Università Cattolica Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Ilaria Lazzareschi
- Department of Pediatrics, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario "Agostino Gemelli", I.R.C.C.S., Università Cattolica Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Antonio Chiaretti
- Department of Pediatrics, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario "Agostino Gemelli", I.R.C.C.S., Università Cattolica Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Antonio Gatto
- Department of Pediatrics, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario "Agostino Gemelli", I.R.C.C.S., Rome, Italy
| | - Antonietta Curatola
- Department of Pediatrics, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario "Agostino Gemelli", I.R.C.C.S., Rome, Italy
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