First report of myocarditis in two patients with COVID-19 Omicron variant: case report

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection is responsible for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemics. Omicron (B.1.1.529) variant is the cause for the surge of the COVID-19 pandemics of the end of 2021 and the beginning of 2022, although its subvariants are responsible for the following daily increase of COVID-19 cases in July 2022. Early reports of Omicron variant confirmed patients indicated less severe disease course compared with the disease caused by previously encountered variants with absence of data regarding cardiac involvement by Omicron.

A 42-year-old male who tested positive for Omicron was admitted on January 2022 with chest pain and ST-segment elevation in the inferior leads. Coronary angiography revealed non-significant coronary artery disease. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated features consistent with myocarditis with involvement of 22% of the left ventricular mass by late gadolinium enhancement involving both the lateral and the septal walls. The second patient is a 60-year-old male presented following syncope and palpitations after he was confirmed with Omicron infection. Upon emergency department arrival he had ventricular tachycardia of 250 beats/minute and underwent urgent cardioversion. During his hospitalization, there was no recurrence of malignant arrhythmia, coronary angiography revealed non-obstructive disease. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated imaging features suggesting acute myocarditis with involvement of 19% of the left ventricular mass.

This is the first report of myocarditis cases as a possible complication associated with Omicron variant. Despite preliminary reports of less severe disease clinicians should be vigilant for potential deleterious cardiac complications of Omicron.