Case Report: Lymphohistiocytic Myocarditis With Severe Cardiogenic Shock Requiring Mechanical Cardiocirculatory Support in Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome Following SARS-CoV-2 Infection

Fulminant Myocarditis with SARS-CoV-2 Infection: A Narrative Review from the Case Studies

One of the severe complications of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection is myocarditis. However, the characteristics of fulminant myocarditis with SARS-CoV-2 infection are still unclear. We systematically reviewed the previously reported cases of fulminant myocarditis associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection from January 2020 to December 2022, identifying 108 cases. Of those, 67 were male and 41 female. The average age was 34.8 years; 30 patients (27.8%) were ≤20 years old, whereas 10 (9.3%) were ≥60. Major comorbidities included hypertension, obesity, diabetes mellitus, asthma, heart disease, gynecologic disease, hyperlipidemia, and connective tissue disorders. Regarding left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) at admission, 93% of the patients with fulminant myocarditis were classified as having heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (LVEF ≤ 40%). Most of the cases were administered catecholamines (97.8%), and mechanical circulatory support (MCS) was required in 67 cases (62.0%). The type of MCS was extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (n = 56, 83.6%), percutaneous ventricular assist device (Impella®) (n = 19, 28.4%), intra-aortic balloon pumping (n = 12, 12.9%), or right ventricular assist device (n = 2, 3.0%); combination of these devices occurred in 20 cases (29.9%). The average duration of MCS was 7.7 ± 3.8 days. Of the 76 surviving patients whose cardiac function was available for follow-up, 65 (85.5%) recovered normally. The overall mortality rate was 22.4%, and the recovery rate was 77.6% (alive: 83 patients, dead: 24 patients; outcome not described: 1 patient).

Cardiac Involvement in Patients With Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Adults

Multisystemic inflammatory syndrome in adults is a hyperinflammatory condition following (within 4-12 weeks) SARS-CoV-2 infection. Here, the dysregulation of the immune system leads to a multiorgan involvement often affecting the heart. Cardiac involvement in multisystemic inflammatory syndrome in adults has been described mainly in young men without other comorbidities and may present with different clinical scenarios, including acute heart failure, life-threatening arrhythmias, pericarditis, and myocarditis, with a nonnegligible risk of mortality (up to 7% of all cases). The heterogeneity of its clinical features and the absence of a clear case definition make the differential diagnosis with other postinfectious (eg, infective myocarditis) and hyperinflammatory diseases (eg, adult Still disease and macrophage activation syndrome) challenging. Moreover, the evidence on the efficacy of specific treatments targeting the hyperinflammatory response underlying this clinical condition (eg, glucocorticoids, immunoglobulins, and other immunomodulatory agents) is sparse and not supported by randomized clinical trials. In this review article, we aim to provide an overview of the clinical features and the diagnostic workup of multisystemic inflammatory syndrome in adults with cardiac involvement, highlighting the possible pathogenetic mechanisms and the therapeutic management, along with remaining knowledge gaps in this field.

Myocarditis mortality with and without COVID-19: insights from a national registry

BACKGROUND

Myocarditis in context of a SARS-CoV-2 infection is vividly discussed in the literature. Real-world data however are sparse, and relevance of the myocarditis diagnosis to outcome in coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is unclear.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Retrospective analysis of 75,304 patients hospitalized in Germany with myocarditis between 2007 and 2020 is reported by DESTATIS. Patients hospitalized between 01/2016 and 12/2019 served as reference cohort for the COVID-19 patients hospitalized in 2020.

RESULTS

A total of 75,304 patients were hospitalized between 2007 and 2020 (age 42.5 years, 30.1% female, hospital mortality 2.4%). In the reference cohort, 24,474 patients (age 42.8 years, 29.5% female, hospital mortality 2.2%) were registered. In 2020, annual myocarditis hospitalizations dropped by 19.6% compared to reference (4921 vs. 6119 annual hospitalization), of which 443/4921 (9.0%) were connected to COVID-19. In 2020, hospital mortality of myocarditis in non-COVID-19 patients increased significantly compared to reference (2.9% vs. 2.2%, p = 0.008, OR 1.31, 95% CI 1.08-1.60). In COVID-19 myocarditis, hospital mortality was even higher compared to reference (13.5% vs. 2.2%, p < 0.001, OR 6.93, 95% CI 5.18-9.18).

CONCLUSION

The burden of patients with myocarditis and COVID-19 in 2020 was low. Hospital mortality was more than sixfold higher in patients with myocarditis and COVID-19 compared to those with myocarditis but without COVID-19.

Clinical indications and outcomes of Impella devices for severe cardiogenic shock in COVID-19 patients: a systematic review

Background

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) can present with significant cardiac dysfunction, including cardiogenic shock. Mechanical circulatory support with an Impella device may be utilized in these patients to support and offload native right ventricle (RV) and left ventricle (LV) functions. This systematic review aims to describe clinical indications, management, laboratory data, and outcomes in patients with severe cardiogenic shock from COVID-19 treated with an Impella device.

Methods

A PRISMA-directed systematic review was performed and prospectively registered in PROSPERO. The databases accessed included PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, and ScienceDirect. Quality and risk of bias assessments were completed using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) checklist for case reports.

Results

A total of 16 records were included in the qualitative synthesis; 8/16 (50%) of the patients were men. The average age was 39 years (SD: 14.7). The biventricular Impella (BiPella) approach was recorded in 3/16 (18.75%) patients. A total of 4/16 (25%) individuals required renal replacement therapy (RRT). Single-device usage was observed in three cases: 2/16 Impella CP (12.5%) and 1/16 Impella RP (6.25%). Treatment of COVID-19 myocarditis included a wide range of antivirals and immunomodulators; 8/16 (50%) cases needed ECMO (extracorporeal membrane oxygenation) support. Overall, only 2/16 (11.7%) individuals died.

Conclusions

Sixteen reported individuals have received an Impella implanted with a mortality rate of 11.7%. Concurrent use of RRT and ECMO implantation was often observed. Overall, the Impella device is an effective and safe strategy in the management of COVID-19-related cardiogenic shock. Future studies should include long-term results.

Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation in Children With COVID-19: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

OBJECTIVES

The indication, complications, and outcomes of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) in children with COVID-19-related illnesses remain unelucidated. Our study aimed to investigate the characteristics and outcomes of ECMO in children with COVID-19-related illnesses.

DATA SOURCES

We searched PubMed and EMBASE databases in March 2022.

STUDY SELECTION

We retrieved all studies involving children (age ≤ 18 yr) with COVID-19-related illnesses who received ECMO.

DATA EXTRACTION

Two authors independently extracted data and assessed the risk of bias. Mortality, successful weaning rate, and complications while on ECMO were synthesized by a one-group meta-analysis using a random-effect model. Meta-regression was performed to explore the risk factors for mortality.

DATA SYNTHESIS

We included 18 observational studies, four case series, and 22 case reports involving 110 children with COVID-19-related illnesses receiving ECMO. The median age was 8 years (range, 10 d to 18 yr), and the median body mass index was 21.4 kg/m 2 (range, 12.3-56.0 kg/m 2 ). The most common comorbidities were obesity (11% [7/63]) and congenital heart disease (11% [7/63]), whereas 48% (30/63) were previously healthy. The most common indications for ECMO were multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (52% [47/90]) and severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (40% [36/90]). Seventy-one percent (56/79) received venoarterial-ECMO. The median ECMO runtime was 6 days (range, 3-51 d) for venoarterial ECMO and 11 days (range, 3-71 d) for venovenous ECMO. The mortality was 26.6% (95% CI, 15.9-40.9), and the successful weaning rate was 77.0% (95% CI, 55.4-90.1). Complications were seen in 37.0% (95% CI, 23.1-53.5) while on ECMO, including stroke, acute kidney injury, pulmonary edema, and thromboembolism. Corticosteroids and IV immunoglobulin therapies were associated with lower mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

The mortality of children on ECMO for COVID-19 was relatively low. This invasive treatment can be considered as a treatment option for critically ill children with COVID-19.

Wuhan 3 years after the outbreak of the pandemic-cardiological insights and perspectives

In November 2019, Wuhan, a city in Central China, became the center of an outbreak of pneumonia of unknown cause, which was later named "coronavirus disease 2019" (COVID-19). COVID-19 is caused by the novel severe acute respiratory distress syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. The emergence of novel SARS-CoV‑2 strains and mutations exerted a serious global public health threat. Although various vaccines have been developed, specific anti-SARS-CoV‑2 drugs are limited. As cardiologists, we believe that because SARS-CoV‑2 can bind to the angiotensin 2 receptor on the surface of cardiomyocytes, it may also lead to cardiac injury. COVID-19-associated cardiac injury is not rare in clinical practice, and most of these cases are mild, while a few might progress to fulminant myocarditis (FM). Overactivated immune response and inflammatory storm represent the core pathogenesis of COVID-19-associated FM. Early identification and diagnosis of COVID-19-associated FM are critical for its treatment. Recently, Wuhan was hit by the Omicron variant again. We proposed managing COVID-19-associated cardiac injury according to the severity, which has had a significant effect on outcome.

Leitlinie Myokarditis der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Pädiatrische Kardiologie

This consensus statement presents updated recommendations on diagnosis and treatment of myocarditis in childhood.

Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in adults: Characteristics, treatment, and outcomes

Following the rapidly increasing number of multisystem inflammatory syndromes in children (MIS-C), a similar clinical scenario has been observed in adult patients. Although its prevalence is low and probably related to underdiagnosis, its development can be associated with high mortality. Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in adults (MIS-A) can develop following both asymptomatic and symptomatic severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection and in previously healthy people. Like MIS-C, MIS-A is a multisystem disease that can involve the cardiovascular, respiratory, gastrointestinal, dermatologic, hematologic, and neurologic systems. In addition to the clinical manifestations, the diagnosis of MIS-A requires laboratory evidence of inflammation and SARS-CoV-2 infection. The appropriate treatment for MIS-A remains unclear; anti-inflammatory agents, including intravenous immunoglobulin and corticosteroids, are commonly used. However, there are still many unknowns regarding MIS-A. Further studies are needed to determine the true prevalence, pathogenesis, and effective treatment for MIS-A.

Fulminant Myocarditis and Acute Appendicitis after COVID-19 Vaccination

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.

The First Case in Japan of Fulminant Myocarditis Due to Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C) That Required Mechanical Circulatory Support

Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) is a novel hyperinflammatory syndrome that is associated with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infections. Reports describing the mechanical circulatory support (MCS) and myocardial biopsy for fulminant myocarditis due to MIS-C are limited.A 13-year-old male patient with MIS-C underwent treatment, including immunosuppressive therapy and MCS devices, and managed to recover from pulseless electrical activity cardiac arrest.This is the first patient in Japan with MIS-C who required MCS devices in Japan. Appropriate and immediate treatment with immunosuppressive therapy and MCS devices is important.

Multisystem inflammatory syndrome and lymphohistiocytic myocarditis after Covid‐19 vaccine in a middle‐aged woman

We describe a 51-year-old otherwise healthy woman hospitalized for hypotension, fever, and weakness 4 days after the second-dose Covid-19 mRNA vaccine. Elevated inflammatory markers, natriuretic peptide levels and troponin levels, and slightly reduced left ventricular ejection fraction of 50% were noted. We also found the multiple organ damage, including mucocutaneous, gastrointestinal, and neurologic systems. In addition, we revealed the positive results for anti-nucleocapsid SARS-CoV-2 IgG, albeit negative for SARS-CoV-2 polymerase chain reaction testing, suggesting the prior asymptomatic Covid-19 infection. We finally diagnosed her as multisystem inflammatory syndrome after vaccination. Of note, we obtained myocardial specimen from the patients and demonstrated the lymphohistiocytic myocarditis, which is a rare form of myocarditis.

Use of CytoSorb© Hemoadsorption in Patients on Veno-Venous ECMO Support for Severe Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome: A Systematic Review

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Adjunct hemoadsorption is increasingly utilized to target underlying hyperinflammation derived from ARDS. This article aims to review available data on the use of CytoSorb© therapy in combination with V-V ECMO in severe ARDS, and to assess the effects on inflammatory, laboratory and clinical parameters, as well as on patient outcomes. A systematic literature review was conducted and reported in compliance with principles derived from the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement. When applicable, a before-and-after analysis for relevant biomarkers and clinical parameters was carried out. CytoSorb© use was associated with significant reductions in circulating levels of C-reactive protein and interleukin-6 (p = 0.039 and p = 0.049, respectively). Increases in PaO2/FiO2 reached significance as well (p = 0.028), while norepinephrine dosage reductions showed a non-significant trend (p = 0.067). Mortality rates in CytoSorb© patients tended to be lower than those of control groups of most included studies, which, however, were characterized by high heterogeneity and low power. In an exploratory analysis on 90-day mortality in COVID-19 patients supported with V-V ECMO, the therapy was associated with a significantly reduced risk of death. Based on the reviewed data, CytoSorb© therapy is able to reduce inflammation and potentially improves survival in ARDS patients treated with V-V ECMO. Early initiation of CytoSorb© in conjunction with ECMO might offer a new approach to enhance lung rest and promote recovery in patients with severe ARDS.

COVID-19 Related Myocarditis in Adults: A Systematic Review of Case Reports

Despite the progress of its management, COVID-19 maintains an ominous condition which constitutes a threat, especially for the susceptible population. The cardiac injury occurs in approximately 30% of COVID-19 infections and is associated with a worse prognosis. The clinical presentation of cardiac involvement can be COVID-19-related myocarditis. Our review aims to summarise current evidence about that complication. The research was registered at PROSPERO (CRD42022338397). We performed a systematic analysis using five different databases, including i.a. MEDLINE. Further, the backward snowballing technique was applied to identify additional papers. Inclusion criteria were: full-text articles in English presenting cases of COVID-19-related myocarditis diagnosed by the ESC criteria and patients over 18 years old. The myocarditis had to occur after the COVID-19 infection, not vaccination. Initially, 1588 papers were screened from the database search, and 1037 papers were revealed in the backward snowballing process. Eventually, 59 articles were included. Data about patients' sex, age, ethnicity, COVID-19 confirmation technique and vaccination status, reported symptoms, physical condition, laboratory and radiological findings, applied treatment and patient outcome were investigated and summarised. COVID-19-related myocarditis is associated with the risk of sudden worsening of patients' clinical status, thus, knowledge about its clinical presentation is essential for healthcare workers.

SARS-CoV-2-related Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Adult complicated by myocarditis and cardiogenic shock

Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Adult (MIS-A) is a rare COVID-19 complication, presenting as fever with laboratory evidence of inflammation, severe illness requiring hospitalization and multisystem organ involvement. We report on a 25-year-old man presenting with fever, rash, abdominal pain, diarrhoea and vomiting following prior asymptomatic COVID-19 infection. He developed refractory shock and type 1 respiratory insufficiency requiring mechanical ventilation. Diagnostic testing revealed significant inflammation, anemia, thrombocytopenia, acute kidney injury, hepatosplenomegaly, colitis, lymphadenopathy and myocarditis necessitating inotropy. Ventilatory, vasopressor and inotropic support was weaned following pulse corticosteroids and intravenous immunoglobulins. Heart failure therapy was started. Short-term follow-up shows resolution of inflammation and cardiac dysfunction.

Severe myopathy complicating multisystem inflammatory syndrome in adults (MIS-A) in a young man

We report the case of a man in his early 30s who presented with high fever, cervical lymphadenopathy, maculopapular rash and considerably elevated inflammatory markers. Further evaluations revealed cardiomyopathy and renal failure. During hospitalisation he developed profound generalised muscle weakness caused by diffuse myopathy without elevated creatine kinase. He was eventually diagnosed with multisystem inflammatory syndrome in adults (MIS-A) after it was established that he had been suffering from COVID-19 5 weeks prior to presentation. He was started on intravenous immunoglobulins and high-dose corticosteroids, after which symptoms resolved rapidly. MIS-A is a rare but severe complication of COVID-19, whose pathogenesis is insufficiently understood. This case provides further insight into this new disease entity by describing a previously unreported disease progression with severe inflammatory myopathy without elevated creatine kinase.

Efficacy of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in pediatric COVID-19 and MIS-C cases: A single-center experience

Background

This study aimed to evaluate the need and the indication of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) in patients diagnosed with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) followed up in the pediatric intensive care unit by the demographic, clinical, and laboratory data and treatment response.

Methods

A total of 79 patients (43 males, 36 females; median age: 138 months; range, 6 to 210 months) with COVID-19 and MIS-C followed up between September 2020 - September 2021 were included in this retrospective study. Demographic and clinical data were retrospectively collected from patient files, and clinical data, laboratory findings, chest X-rays, and echocardiography results of six patients (1 male and 5 female, median age: 159 months, range, 13 to 210 months) who needed ECMO due to poor response to medical treatment were recorded before and after the ECMO therapy.

Results

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation therapy was performed on one patient with a positive COVID-19 polymerase chain reaction test and five patients with MIS-C in our unit. Five patients were supported with venoarterial (v-a) ECMO, and one patient was supported with venovenous ECMO. Median hospitalization time was 29 (range, 24 to 50) days, median Pediatric Risk of Mortality score was 19.5 (range, 11 to 36), and median length of mechanical ventilation was 23.5 (range, 10 to 45) days. The median vasoactive inotropic score was 55.5 (range, 18 to 110) before ECMO, while the median vasoactive inotropic score was 11 (range, 0 to 34) after ECMO. Four patients were successfully weaned off ECMO, and one of these patients was lost due to brain death 15 days after the weaning. One patient infected with the delta variant of COVID-19, which remained positive during the clinical course, and one patient diagnosed with MIS-C was lost despite the v-a ECMO support. Three of the patients were discharged. Thrombosis developed in the superficial femoral artery of one patient on the cannulated side during v-a ECMO. No death due to complications of ECMO was recorded.

Conclusion

In our study, although the majority of our patients followed up with the diagnosis of COVID-19 and MIS-C showed a mild or moderate clinical course, it was observed that a severe clinical course could develop in a small number of patients and that ECMO treatment may be needed in these patients. In agreement with the ECMO studies with different indications in the literature, we conclude that ECMO therapy may markedly contribute to the prognosis in COVID-19 and MIS-C patients when the initiation and termination timing of therapy is correct.

Acute Perimyocarditis in a Case of Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Adults

Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in adults is a rare postinfectious complication, initially reported in children developing features of Kawasaki disease and toxic shock syndrome after a SARS-CoV-2 infection. Subsequently, the clinical spectrum of the condition was recognized to be broader, defined as an inappropriate systemic inflammatory response with multiorgan dysfunction involving the skin, mucous membranes, and the heart, among other organ systems.