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Kawano H, Yamamoto N, Kurohama H, Okano S, Kurobe M, Honda T, Akashi R, Yonekura T, Ikeda S, Izumikawa K, Maemura K. Fulminant Myocarditis and Acute Appendicitis after COVID-19 Vaccination. Intern Med 2023; 62:411-417. [PMID: 36418095 PMCID: PMC9970817 DOI: 10.2169/internalmedicine.0680-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
A 19-year-old Japanese man was hospitalized for cardiogenic shock 28 days after receiving a second dose of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) mRNA-1273 vaccine. He had had a high fever for three days with vomiting and abdominal pain before arriving at our hospital. The patient visited a local hospital and was diagnosed with heart failure and acute appendicitis. An endomyocardial biopsy specimen showed myocarditis. Thereafter, Impella CP left ventricular assist device implantation and venoarterial peripheral extracorporeal membranous oxygenation were initiated immediately along with inotropic support and steroid pulse therapy. Given these findings, he was finally diagnosed with multiple inflammatory syndrome and fulminant myocarditis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroaki Kawano
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Japan
| | - Nobu Yamamoto
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Japan
| | | | - Shinji Okano
- Department of Pathology, Nagasaki University Hospital, Japan
| | - Masaya Kurobe
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Japan
| | - Tomohiro Honda
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Japan
| | - Ryohei Akashi
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Japan
| | - Tsuyoshi Yonekura
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Japan
| | - Satoshi Ikeda
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Japan
| | - Koichi Izumikawa
- Infection Control and Education Center, Nagasaki University Hospital, Japan
| | - Koji Maemura
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Japan
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2
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Octavius GS, Wijaya JH, Tan AO, Muljono MP, Chandra S, Juliansen A. Autopsy findings of pediatric COVID-19: a systematic review. EGYPTIAN JOURNAL OF FORENSIC SCIENCES 2022; 12:32. [PMID: 35855892 PMCID: PMC9281196 DOI: 10.1186/s41935-022-00288-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2021] [Accepted: 06/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Little is known how COVID-19 is affecting children. Autopsies help gain an understanding of the pathophysiology of new and developing diseases. Numerous post-mortem studies had been conducted in adults with COVID-19, but few in children. Thereby, this systematic review aims to investigate the autopsy findings from pediatric COVID-19 patients. Results There were a total of 15 patients from eight studies. COVID-19 mainly affects the heart and lungs. Pathology findings from the heart of COVID-19 pediatric patients include diffuse inflammatory infiltrate, myocarditis, cardiomyocyte necrosis, pericarditis, and interstitial edema. Histopathology abnormalities observed in the lungs are diffuse alveolar damage, cytopathic changes, thrombi in arterioles and septal capillaries, lung congestion, focal acute hemorrhage and edema, focal exudative changes, and mild pneumocyte hyperplasia. In addition, pathological findings from other organs, such as the liver, kidney, brain, bone marrow, lymph node, skin, spleen, muscle, colon, parotid gland, and adrenal of COVID-19 pediatric patients are also included in this review. Conclusion Cardiomyocyte necrosis, interstitial edema, lung congestion, and diffuse alveolar damage are the most significant pathologic findings of the heart and lung in pediatric COVID-19 patients. More studies are needed to elucidate the pathophysiology of SARS-CoV-2 in autopsy findings and to determine the exact cause of death since it could be related to COVID-19 or other comorbidities.
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Cushion S, Arboleda V, Hasanain Y, Demory Beckler M, Hardigan P, Kesselman MM. Comorbidities and Symptomatology of SARS-CoV-2 (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2)-Related Myocarditis and SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine-Related Myocarditis: A Review. Cureus 2022; 14:e24084. [PMID: 35573496 PMCID: PMC9099161 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.24084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2022] [Accepted: 04/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Myocarditis is an inflammatory disease of the heart muscle, with manifestations that include myocardial infarction, arrhythmia, and even sudden death. The primary etiology of myocarditis is a viral infection, with studies demonstrating that infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) can lead to myocarditis. This enzyme is involved in many body tissues, including the gastrointestinal system and the cardiac system. This enzyme is responsible for converting angiotensin I to angiotensin II in the renin-angiotensin system of our body. This review aims to characterize the symptomatology and comorbidities of males, females, and pediatric patients who developed the SARS-CoV-2-related myocarditis (SARS-CoV-2RM) or the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine-related myocarditis (SARS-CoV-2VRM). From July 10 to July 20, 2021, a PubMed database search for “SARS CoV-2 Related Myocarditis” was conducted. From July 21 to July 30, 2021, the search for “SARS CoV-2 Vaccine Related Myocarditis” was conducted. The search completed was specific for title/abstract fields using keywords “Covid-19” AND “Myocarditis” AND “Vaccine” and specifying “Males” or “Females”, respectively. Inclusion criteria included articles discussing comorbidities and symptomatology. Exclusion criteria included autopsy/postmortem reports, letters to the editor, retrospective studies, and observational studies. In the end, 49 articles were found and included in this review. We found that 27 of 40 pediatric patients with SARS-CoV-2RM presented with gastrointestinal symptoms, and 12 of 40 pediatric patients had no comorbidities. In female cases, eight of 12 patients with SARS-CoV-2RM presented with noncardiac symptoms, and only four of 12 had comorbidities such as asthma, diabetes, and obesity. In male patients with SARS-CoV-2RM, 10 of 12 presented with respiratory and/or cardiac symptoms, and seven of 12 had cardiac and/or diabetic comorbidities. Furthermore, 22 of 31 male patients with SARS-CoV-2VRM presented with chest pain with no previous comorbidities; four of six females with SARS-CoV-2VRM presented with chest pain, and three of six females had no comorbidities; and seven of 11 pediatric patients with SARS-CoV-2VRM had no comorbidities, but 11 of 11 pediatric patients presented with chest pain. In conclusion, males, females, and pediatric patients with previous SARS-CoV-2VRM showed mostly chest pain with no comorbidities. Males presenting with SARS-CoV-2RM showed mostly respiratory and cardiac symptoms with cardiac and diabetic comorbidities. Females with SARS-CoV-2RM described various symptoms from flu-like, respiratory, to cardiac and had no previous comorbidities. The bulk of pediatric patients with SARS-CoV-2RM mainly presented with GI symptoms and no past comorbidities. More studies are needed to determine the clinical presentation and risk factors that lead to SARS-CoV-2RM and SARS-CoV-2VRM.
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Siripanthong B, Asatryan B, Hanff TC, Chatha SR, Khanji MY, Ricci F, Muser D, Ferrari VA, Nazarian S, Santangeli P, Deo R, Cooper LT, Mohiddin SA, Chahal CAA. The Pathogenesis and Long-Term Consequences of COVID-19 Cardiac Injury. JACC Basic Transl Sci 2022; 7:294-308. [PMID: 35165665 PMCID: PMC8828362 DOI: 10.1016/j.jacbts.2021.10.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2021] [Revised: 10/18/2021] [Accepted: 10/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
COVID-19 myocardial injury results from immune and hypercoagulability responses. Long-term cardiac consequences of COVID-19 include structural and functional changes. Myocarditis after COVID-19 vaccination is uncommon (highest risk in teenage males). Larger population-based studies are necessary to validate these early results.
The mechanisms of coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19)–related myocardial injury comprise both direct viral invasion and indirect (hypercoagulability and immune-mediated) cellular injuries. Some patients with COVID-19 cardiac involvement have poor clinical outcomes, with preliminary data suggesting long-term structural and functional changes. These include persistent myocardial fibrosis, edema, and intraventricular thrombi with embolic events, while functionally, the left ventricle is enlarged, with a reduced ejection fraction and new-onset arrhythmias reported in a number of patients. Myocarditis post-COVID-19 vaccination is rare but more common among young male patients. Larger studies, including prospective data from biobanks, will be useful in expanding these early findings and determining their validity.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Babken Asatryan
- Department of Cardiology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | | | - Salman R Chatha
- Barts Heart Centre, St Bartholomew's Hospital, Barts Health NHS Trust, London, United Kingdom.,University Hospital of North Midlands NHS Trust, Stoke-on-Trent, United Kingdom
| | - Mohammed Y Khanji
- Barts Heart Centre, St Bartholomew's Hospital, Barts Health NHS Trust, London, United Kingdom.,Newham University Hospital, Barts Health NHS Trust, London, United Kingdom.,NIHR Barts Biomedical Research Centre, William Harvey Research Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Fabrizio Ricci
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy.,Casa di Cura Villa Serena, Città Sant'Angelo, Pescara, Italy.,Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden
| | - Daniele Muser
- Dipartimento Cardiotoracico, U.O.C. di Cardiologia, Presidio Ospedaliero Universitario "Santa Maria Della Misericordia," Udine, Italy
| | - Victor A Ferrari
- Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.,Penn Cardiovascular Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Saman Nazarian
- Electrophysiology Section, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Pasquale Santangeli
- Electrophysiology Section, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Rajat Deo
- Electrophysiology Section, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | | | - Saidi A Mohiddin
- Barts Heart Centre, St Bartholomew's Hospital, Barts Health NHS Trust, London, United Kingdom.,NIHR Barts Biomedical Research Centre, William Harvey Research Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - C Anwar A Chahal
- Barts Heart Centre, St Bartholomew's Hospital, Barts Health NHS Trust, London, United Kingdom.,Electrophysiology Section, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.,Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA.,WellSpan Center for Inherited Cardiovascular Diseases, WellSpan Health, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, USA
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5
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Challenges of Diagnosing Viral Myocarditis in Adolescents in the Era of COVID-19 and MIS-C. Case Rep Pediatr 2021; 2021:4797498. [PMID: 34616578 PMCID: PMC8490073 DOI: 10.1155/2021/4797498] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2021] [Accepted: 09/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Myocarditis has a wide array of clinical presentations ranging from asymptomatic to sudden cardiac death. Pediatric myocarditis is a rare disease, with an estimated annual incidence of 1 to 2 per 100,000 children though its true prevalence remains unknown due to its variable and often subclinical presentation. The diagnosis of myocarditis is challenging in the era of COVID-19 and Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C), which can have overlapping clinical conundrum. Here, we present a case of a 17-year-old male presenting with chest tightness, shortness of breath, and electrocardiogram (EKG) findings concerning for myocardial injury along with elevated inflammatory markers such as D-dimer, ESR (Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate), and CRP (C-Reactive Protein). We discuss the key elements of our clinical experience with this case and review the literature for pediatric myocarditis, with a focus on differentiating it from MIS-C in the current COVID-19 pandemic era.
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6
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Menger J, Apostolidou S, Edler C, Kniep I, Kobbe R, Singer D, Sperhake JP. Fatal outcome of SARS-CoV-2 infection (B1.1.7) in a 4-year-old child. Int J Legal Med 2021; 136:189-192. [PMID: 34510268 PMCID: PMC8435154 DOI: 10.1007/s00414-021-02687-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2021] [Accepted: 08/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
This case report highlights details of a case of critical acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type 2 (SARS-CoV-2) with B1.1.7 variant in a 4-year-old girl who died due to pneumonia and pulmonary hemorrhage. The girl was referred to our University ECMO Center from another University hospital for veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO). In the clinical course, superinfection with Pseudomonas aeruginosa was detected. Virological evidence of herpes simplex sepsis was also obtained in blood samples on her day of death. Transcription polymerase chain reaction (PCR) confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection in lung tissue. Postmortem computed tomography showed pulmonary hemorrhage with inhomogeneous density values in both lungs. Lung tissue showed no ventilated areas. Autopsy revealed a massively congested lung with evidence of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and pneumonia with multiple abscesses. Histopathology showed a mixture of diffuse alveolar injury with hyaline membranes, massive hemorrhage, and bronchopneumonia with multiple granulocytic abscesses. Cardiac examination revealed pericarditis. Suspicion of myocarditis or myocardial infarction could not be confirmed microscopically. To our knowledge, this is the first autopsy-based case report of the death of a previously healthy child due to the new variant B 1.1.7 in Germany.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johanna Menger
- Department of Legal Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Butenfeld 34, 22529, Hamburg, Germany.
| | - Sofia Apostolidou
- Department of Neonatology and Pediatric Intensive Care Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistr. 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Carolin Edler
- Department of Legal Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Butenfeld 34, 22529, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Inga Kniep
- Department of Legal Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Butenfeld 34, 22529, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Robin Kobbe
- First Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistr. 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Dominique Singer
- Department of Neonatology and Pediatric Intensive Care Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistr. 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Jan-Peter Sperhake
- Department of Legal Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Butenfeld 34, 22529, Hamburg, Germany
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7
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Peart Akindele N, Kouo T, Karaba AH, Gordon O, Fenstermacher KZJ, Beaudry J, Rubens JH, Atik CC, Zhou W, Ji H, Tao X, Vaidya D, Mostafa H, Caturegli P, Blair PW, Sauer L, Cox AL, Persaud D. Distinct Cytokine and Chemokine Dysregulation in Hospitalized Children With Acute Coronavirus Disease 2019 and Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome With Similar Levels of Nasopharyngeal Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Shedding. J Infect Dis 2021; 224:606-615. [PMID: 34398245 PMCID: PMC8241418 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiab285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2021] [Accepted: 05/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) is a severe clinical phenotype of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection that remains poorly understood. METHODS Hospitalized children <18 years of age with suspected coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) (N = 53) were recruited into a prospective cohort study; 32 had confirmed COVID-19, with 16 meeting the US Centers for Disease Control criteria for MIS-C. Differences in nasopharyngeal viral ribonucleic acid (RNA) levels, SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity, and cytokine/chemokine profiles were examined, including after adjustments for age and sex. RESULTS The median ages for those with and without MIS-C were 8.7 years (interquartile range [IQR], 5.5-13.9) and 2.2 years (IQR, 1.1-10.5), respectively (P = .18), and nasopharyngeal levels of SARS-CoV-2 RNA did not differ significantly between the 2 groups (median 63 848.25 copies/mL versus 307.1 copies/mL, P = .66); 75% of those with MIS-C were antibody positive compared with 44% without (P = .026). Levels of 14 of 37 cytokines/chemokines (interleukin [IL]-1RA, IL-2RA, IL-6, IL-8, tumor necrosis factor-α, IL-10, IL-15, IL-18, monocyte chemoattractant protein [MCP]-1, IP-10, macrophage-inflammatory protein [MIP]-1α, MCP-2, MIP-1β, eotaxin) were significantly higher in children with MIS-C compared to those without, irrespective of age or sex (false discovery rate <0.05; P < .05). CONCLUSIONS The distinct pattern of heightened cytokine/chemokine dysregulation observed with MIS-C, compared with acute COVID-19, occurs across the pediatric age spectrum and with similar levels of nasopharyngeal SARS-CoV-2 RNA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadine Peart Akindele
- Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Theodore Kouo
- Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Emergency Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Andrew H Karaba
- Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Oren Gordon
- Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | | | - Jeanette Beaudry
- Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Jessica H Rubens
- Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Christine C Atik
- Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Weiqiang Zhou
- Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Department of Biostatistics, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Hongkai Ji
- Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Department of Biostatistics, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Xueting Tao
- Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Dhananjay Vaidya
- Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Heba Mostafa
- Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Department of Pathology, Division of Medical Microbiology, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | | | - Paul W Blair
- Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Lauren Sauer
- Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Department of Emergency Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Andrea L Cox
- Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Deborah Persaud
- Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Departments of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, and International Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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8
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Carretta DM, Silva AM, D’Agostino D, Topi S, Lovero R, Charitos IA, Wegierska AE, Montagnani M, Santacroce L. Cardiac Involvement in COVID-19 Patients: A Contemporary Review. Infect Dis Rep 2021; 13:494-517. [PMID: 34206074 PMCID: PMC8293198 DOI: 10.3390/idr13020048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2021] [Revised: 05/22/2021] [Accepted: 05/26/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: The widely variable clinical manifestations of SARS-CoV2 disease (COVID-19) range from asymptomatic infections to multiple organ failure and death. Among the organs affected is the heart. This does not only affect people who already have previous cardiovascular problems, but also healthy people. This is a reason not to overlook any symptoms or to perform targeted examinations, even if apparently unrelated to the heart, for quick recognition and timely therapy. Aim of the study: This review recapitulates the current state of knowledge on the potential mechanisms and manifestation of myocarditis in patients with COVID-19 infection. Methods: A web-based search of published data was performed for all relevant studies on patients diagnosed with a COVID-19-induced acute myocarditis, and a total of 50 reports were included. The analysis of the studies evaluated highlights a male predominance, with the average age of patients being 55 years. The most common presenting symptoms included fever, shortness of breath, cough, and chest pain. Among ECG changes, non-specific ST-segment and T-wave amplitude alterations and ventricular tachycardia episodes were reported. Finally, we wanted to use a general evaluation without distinguishing between various countries, taking into consideration only the peer or reviewer, regardless of the declared value of the journals that have been published. Results and critical findings: The most common presenting symptoms included fever, shortness of breath, cough, and chest pain. Among ECG changes, non-specific ST-segment and T-wave amplitude alterations and ventricular tachycardia episodes were reported. In most patients, elevated levels of cardiac and inflammatory biomarkers were measured. Left ventricular dysfunction and hypokinesis were commonly exhibited symptoms. Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging (CMRI) confirmed the diagnosis of myocarditis with features of cardiac edema and cardiac injury. Nine patients underwent histopathological examination. Treatment with corticosteroids and immunoglobulins was the most applied strategy following the administration of antivirals. Discussion: Despite the exponentially growing knowledge on the management of COVID-19 infection, current available data on SARS-CoV2-correlated myocarditis are still limited, and several difficulties may be encountered in the differential diagnosis of acute myocarditis in the context of COVID-19 disease. Conclusions: While diagnostic criteria and evaluation strategies for myocarditis are well described, no guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of myocarditis in COVID-19 patients have yet been established. Therefore, further research is needed to advance the understanding of this disease process and define the most appropriate strategic approach in these patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Domenico Maria Carretta
- AOU Policlinico Consorziale di Bari-Ospedale Giovanni XXIII, Coronary Unit and Electrophysiology/Pacing Unit, Cardio-Thoracic Department, Policlinico University Hospital of Bari, 70124 Bari, Italy;
| | - Aline Maria Silva
- AOU Policlinico Consorziale di Bari-Ospedale Giovanni XXIII, Cardiac Surgery, Policlinico University Hospital of Bari, 70124 Bari, Italy; (A.M.S.); (D.D.)
| | - Donato D’Agostino
- AOU Policlinico Consorziale di Bari-Ospedale Giovanni XXIII, Cardiac Surgery, Policlinico University Hospital of Bari, 70124 Bari, Italy; (A.M.S.); (D.D.)
| | - Skender Topi
- Department of Clinical Disciplines, School of Technical Medical Sciences, University of Elbasan “A. Xhuvani”, 3001 Elbasan, Albania;
| | - Roberto Lovero
- AOU Policlinico Consorziale di Bari-Ospedale Giovanni XXIII, Clinical Pathology Unit, Policlinico University Hospital of Bari, 70124 Bari, Italy;
| | - Ioannis Alexandros Charitos
- Emergency/Urgent Department, National Poisoning Center, Riuniti University Hospital of Foggia, 71122 Foggia, Italy
- Correspondence: (I.A.C.); (L.S.)
| | - Angelika Elzbieta Wegierska
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, Microbiology and Virology Unit, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, Piazza G. Cesare, 11, 70124 Bari, Italy;
| | - Monica Montagnani
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology—Section of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, Policlinico University Hospital of Bari, p.zza G. Cesare 11, 70124 Bari, Italy;
| | - Luigi Santacroce
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, Microbiology and Virology Unit, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, Piazza G. Cesare, 11, 70124 Bari, Italy;
- Correspondence: (I.A.C.); (L.S.)
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9
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Panchal A, Kyvernitakis A, Mikolich JR, Biederman RWW. Contemporary use of cardiac imaging for COVID-19 patients: a three center experience defining a potential role for cardiac MRI. Int J Cardiovasc Imaging 2021; 37:1721-1733. [PMID: 33559800 PMCID: PMC7871025 DOI: 10.1007/s10554-020-02139-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2020] [Accepted: 12/17/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
The pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) secondary to the novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has bestowed an unprecedented challenge upon us, resulting in an international public health emergency. COVID-19 has already resulted in > 1,600,000 deaths worldwide and the fear of a global economic collapse. SARS-CoV-2 is notorious for causing acute respiratory distress syndrome, however emerging literature suggests various dreaded cardiac manifestations associated with high mortality. The mechanism of myocardial damage in COVID-19 is unclear but thought to be multifactorial and mainly driven by the host's immune response (cytokine storm), hypoxemia and direct myocardial injury by the virus. Cardiac manifestations from COVID-19 include but are not limited to, acute myocardial injury, cardiac arrhythmias, congestive heart failure and acute coronary syndrome. Cardiac imaging is paramount to appropriately diagnose and manage the cardiac manifestations of COVID-19. Herein, we present cardiac imaging findings of COVID-19 patients with biomarker and imaging confirmed myocarditis to provide insight regarding the variable manifestations of COVID-19 myocarditis via Cardiac MRI (CMR) coupled with CMR-edema education along with recommendations on how to incorporate advanced CMR into the clinicians' COVID-19 armamentarium.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ankur Panchal
- Internal Medicine, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
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