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Effusive-constrictive pericarditis after the second dose of BNT162b2 vaccine (Comirnaty): a case report
Giacomo Maria Viani1, Patrizia Pedrotti2, Romano Seregni1
1Department of Cardiology, Fatebenefratelli Hospital, Piazzale Principessa Clotilde, 3, 20121, Milan, Italy.
Background:
Whereas effusive-constrictive pericarditis (ECP) can rarely occur in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), to date no cases of ECP related to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV2) vaccine have been documented.
Case Summary:
A 59-year-old Caucasian man presented to our emergency department with ECP. Symptoms occurred shortly after the second dose of BNT162b2 (Comirnaty) vaccine. No other aetiological causes were identified. Guidelines-directed therapy for acute pericarditis was implemented, with clinical benefit.
Discussion:
Systemic inflammatory response to COVID-19 can rarely trigger pericarditis. In our case, a strong temporal relationship between the second dose of BNT162b2 vaccine and symptoms occurrence was documented, indicating a possible rare adverse reaction to the vaccine, similarly to natural infection. Further research is needed to confirm a causal relationship.
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