COVID-19 Vaccine-Related Myocarditis: A Descriptive Study of 40 Case Reports

Jia Hong Chen1, Ifeanyi A Ikwuanusi1, Veera Jayasree Latha Bommu1

  • 1Internal Medicine, Hackensack Meridian Ocean Medical Center, Brick, USA.

Cureus
|March 7, 2022
PubMed

Insights

COVID-19 vaccination can cause myocarditis, particularly in males under 30 after the second dose of BNT162b2 vaccine. This analysis reviews the epidemiology and clinical presentation of vaccine-related myocarditis.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Immunology
  • Public Health

Background:

  • The COVID-19 pandemic led to the rapid development and emergency approval of vaccines (BNT162b2, mRNA-1273, JNJ-78436735) to prevent severe illness.
  • While generally safe, some adverse events, including myocarditis, have been reported post-vaccination.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To present the epidemiology and clinical characteristics of myocarditis following COVID-19 vaccination.
  • To analyze patient demographics, vaccine types, and symptom presentation associated with vaccine-related myocarditis.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of 40 case reports of myocarditis occurring after COVID-19 vaccination.
  • Review of patient data including age, gender, vaccine type, dose timing, and clinical presentation.

Main Results:

  • Myocarditis cases predominantly affected males (90%) with a mean age of 29.13 years.
  • The BNT162b2 vaccine was associated with the majority of cases (65%), followed by mRNA-1273 (30%) and JNJ-78436735 (5%).
  • Eighty percent of reported cases occurred after the second vaccine dose, primarily with Moderna or Pfizer vaccines.

Conclusions:

  • COVID-19 vaccine-related myocarditis primarily impacts young males, often after the second dose, with a higher reported incidence following the BNT162b2 vaccine.
  • Understanding these characteristics is crucial for physicians managing potential cases.
  • Further research is needed to elucidate the underlying mechanisms of this association.

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