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Hulscher N, Hodkinson R, Makis W, McCullough PA. Response to: Szuster-Ciesielska, letter to the editor regarding 'Autopsy findings in cases of fatal COVID-19 vaccine-induced myocarditis'. ESC Heart Fail 2024. [PMID: 38773951 DOI: 10.1002/ehf2.14862] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2024] [Accepted: 05/03/2024] [Indexed: 05/24/2024] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Nicolas Hulscher
- University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
- McCullough Foundation, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | | | - William Makis
- Alberta Health Services, Cross Cancer Institute, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Peter A McCullough
- McCullough Foundation, Dallas, Texas, USA
- The Wellness Company, Boca Raton, Florida, USA
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Hulscher N, Hodkinson R, Makis W, McCullough PA. Autopsy findings in cases of fatal COVID-19 vaccine-induced myocarditis. ESC Heart Fail 2024. [PMID: 38221509 DOI: 10.1002/ehf2.14680] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2023] [Accepted: 12/28/2023] [Indexed: 01/16/2024] Open
Abstract
COVID-19 vaccines have been linked to myocarditis, which, in some circumstances, can be fatal. This systematic review aims to investigate potential causal links between COVID-19 vaccines and death from myocarditis using post-mortem analysis. We performed a systematic review of all published autopsy reports involving COVID-19 vaccination-induced myocarditis through 3 July 2023. All autopsy studies that include COVID-19 vaccine-induced myocarditis as a possible cause of death were included. Causality in each case was assessed by three independent physicians with cardiac pathology experience and expertise. We initially identified 1691 studies and, after screening for our inclusion criteria, included 14 papers that contained 28 autopsy cases. The cardiovascular system was the only organ system affected in 26 cases. In two cases, myocarditis was characterized as a consequence from multisystem inflammatory syndrome. The mean age of death was 44.4 years old. The mean and median number of days from last COVID-19 vaccination until death were 6.2 and 3 days, respectively. We established that all 28 deaths were most likely causally linked to COVID-19 vaccination by independent review of the clinical information presented in each paper. The temporal relationship, internal and external consistency seen among cases in this review with known COVID-19 vaccine-induced myocarditis, its pathobiological mechanisms, and related excess death, complemented with autopsy confirmation, independent adjudication, and application of the Bradford Hill criteria to the overall epidemiology of vaccine myocarditis, suggests that there is a high likelihood of a causal link between COVID-19 vaccines and death from myocarditis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolas Hulscher
- University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | | | - William Makis
- The Wellness Company, Boca Raton, FL, USA
- Cross Cancer Institute, Alberta Health Services, Edmonton, Canada
| | - Peter A McCullough
- The Wellness Company, Boca Raton, FL, USA
- Truth for Health Foundation, Tucson, AZ, USA
- McCullough Foundation, Dallas, TX, USA
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Mead MN, Seneff S, Wolfinger R, Rose J, Denhaerynck K, Kirsch S, McCullough PA. COVID-19 mRNA Vaccines: Lessons Learned from the Registrational Trials and Global Vaccination Campaign. Cureus 2024; 16:e52876. [PMID: 38274635 PMCID: PMC10810638 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.52876] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 01/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Our understanding of COVID-19 vaccinations and their impact on health and mortality has evolved substantially since the first vaccine rollouts. Published reports from the original randomized phase 3 trials concluded that the COVID-19 mRNA vaccines could greatly reduce COVID-19 symptoms. In the interim, problems with the methods, execution, and reporting of these pivotal trials have emerged. Re-analysis of the Pfizer trial data identified statistically significant increases in serious adverse events (SAEs) in the vaccine group. Numerous SAEs were identified following the Emergency Use Authorization (EUA), including death, cancer, cardiac events, and various autoimmune, hematological, reproductive, and neurological disorders. Furthermore, these products never underwent adequate safety and toxicological testing in accordance with previously established scientific standards. Among the other major topics addressed in this narrative review are the published analyses of serious harms to humans, quality control issues and process-related impurities, mechanisms underlying adverse events (AEs), the immunologic basis for vaccine inefficacy, and concerning mortality trends based on the registrational trial data. The risk-benefit imbalance substantiated by the evidence to date contraindicates further booster injections and suggests that, at a minimum, the mRNA injections should be removed from the childhood immunization program until proper safety and toxicological studies are conducted. Federal agency approval of the COVID-19 mRNA vaccines on a blanket-coverage population-wide basis had no support from an honest assessment of all relevant registrational data and commensurate consideration of risks versus benefits. Given the extensive, well-documented SAEs and unacceptably high harm-to-reward ratio, we urge governments to endorse a global moratorium on the modified mRNA products until all relevant questions pertaining to causality, residual DNA, and aberrant protein production are answered.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Nathaniel Mead
- Biology and Nutritional Epidemiology, Independent Research, Copper Hill, USA
| | - Stephanie Seneff
- Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, USA
| | - Russ Wolfinger
- Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Independent Research, Research Triangle Park, USA
| | - Jessica Rose
- Immunology and Public Health Research, Independent Research, Ottawa, CAN
| | - Kris Denhaerynck
- Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Independent Research, Basel, CHE
| | - Steve Kirsch
- Data Science, Independent Research, Los Angeles, USA
| | - Peter A McCullough
- Cardiology, Epidemiology, and Public Health, McCullough Foundation, Dallas, USA
- Cardiology, Epidemiology, and Public Health, Truth for Health Foundation, Tucson, USA
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Xie Y, Zhang A, Qi M, Xiong B, Zhang S, Zhou J, Cao Y. Pheochromocytoma crisis with refractory Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS), Takotsubo syndrome, emergency adrenalectomy, and need for Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) in a previously undiagnosed and asymptomatic patient, due to the use of metoclopramide. BMC Endocr Disord 2023; 23:145. [PMID: 37430225 PMCID: PMC10332044 DOI: 10.1186/s12902-023-01404-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2022] [Accepted: 07/04/2023] [Indexed: 07/12/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pheochromocytoma (PCC) crisis is a rare life-threatening endocrine emergency. The diagnosis and treatment of PCC crisis, with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) as the first manifestation, is highly challenging, and traditional PCC management strategies are no longer suitable for these patients. CASE PRESENTATION A 46-year-old female patient was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) following sudden-onset acute respiratory distress and subsequent initiation of mechanical ventilation via endotracheal intubation. She was initially suspected of having a PCC crisis through the bedside critical care ultrasonic examination protocol. The computed tomography examination revealed a left adrenal neoplasm of 6.5cm × 5.9cm. The plasma-free metanephrine level was 100 times higher than the reference value. These findings were compatible with her PCC diagnosis. Alpha-blockers and fluid intake were started immediately. The endotracheal intubation was removed on the 11th day after admission to the ICU. The patient progressed to severe ARDS again, and invasive ventilation and continuous renal replacement therapy were needed. Despite aggressive therapy, her condition deteriorated. Therefore, she underwent veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO)-assisted emergency adrenalectomy after multidisciplinary discussion. Postoperatively, the patient was supported by VA-ECMO for 7days. She was discharged from the hospital on day 30 after tumor resection. CONCLUSIONS This case highlighted the challenges in diagnosing and managing ARDS associated with PCC crisis. The traditional preoperative preparation protocol and optimal operation timing for patients with PCC are not suitable for patients with PCC crisis. Patients with life-threatening PCC crisis may benefit from early tumor removal, and VA-ECMO could maintain hemodynamic stability during and after surgery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuhua Xie
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - An Zhang
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Min Qi
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Bin Xiong
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Suhua Zhang
- Department of Endocrinology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Jianzhong Zhou
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yunxing Cao
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.
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Varga I, Michalka P, Mištinová JP. Complications after administration of mRNA vaccine against COVID-19 - case report and short review. VNITRNI LEKARSTVI 2023; 69:20-27. [PMID: 37468319 DOI: 10.36290/vnl.2023.054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/21/2023]
Abstract
The pandemic of the disease COVID-19 (COronaVIrus Disease 2019) caused by the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2) resulted in millions of deaths and many patients have chronic consequences after overcoming the acute condition. Several vaccines have been developed in an effort to stop the spread of the virus, but they have potentially serious adverse effects. We present a case report of a patient with acute (myocarditis, exacerbation of bronchial asthma) and long-term (postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome - POTS) complications after vaccination with the second dose of mRNA vaccine BNT162b2 (Comirnaty®). Treatment consists of regimen measures, numerous pharmacotherapy (metoprolol, ivabradine, corticosteroids, antihistamines, antiphlogistics, bronchodilators) and several nutraceuticals (maritime pine bark extract, quercetin, vitamins, magnesium, phosphatidylcholine). In the discussion, we analyze post-vaccination injury and present a short review of the current literature.
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Piras A, Melis G, Cugusi L, Bassareo PP. Myopericarditis in a Male Adolescent Following the Second Shot of COVID-19 Pfizer m-RNA Vaccine: Typical Example and Analysis of 110 Single Case Reports. Pediatr Rep 2022; 14:401-409. [PMID: 36278552 PMCID: PMC9589994 DOI: 10.3390/pediatric14040048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2022] [Revised: 09/11/2022] [Accepted: 09/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
One of the most powerful weapons against COVID-19 is vaccines. After the worldwide spread of the disease, m-RNA vaccines were authorized not only in adult patients, but also in children and adolescents aged 12-18. Since then, alarming reports of cases of myocarditis and/or pericarditis have been noted, primarily involving males after the second vaccine shot. A typical example of myopericarditis occurring in an adolescent a few days after the second shot of an m-RNA vaccine is described here. An in-depth review of all 110 single case reports published up to July 2022 with related features and outcomes is also presented. This is the first extensive analysis focused solely on a significant number of single case reports, which have usually been excluded from systematic reviews and meta-analyses carried out in the field. The analysis presented here confirms that most cases occurred in males after the second injection of an m-RNA vaccine. Cases were mild and responsive to the usual medical treatment. What is newly reported is that not only adolescents, but also older people, especially females, were affected by this adverse event.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandra Piras
- Struttura Complessa di Cardiologia-UTIC-Emodinamica, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Cagliari, 09042 Monserrato, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Giada Melis
- Pronto Soccorso ed OBI, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Cagliari, 09042 Monserrato, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Lucia Cugusi
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Sardinia, Italy
| | - Pier Paolo Bassareo
- School of Medicine, University College of Dublin, D04 V1W8 Dublin, Ireland
- Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, D07 R2WY Dublin, Ireland
- Children’s Health Ireland at Crumlin, D12 N512 Dublin, Ireland
- Correspondence:
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