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Fatal Post COVID mRNA-Vaccine Associated Cerebral Ischemia
Nadia McMillan1, Harry J Rosenberg2, Matthew P Anderson2
1Department of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA.
The Neurohospitalist
|April 17, 2023
Summary
A rare case links the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine to arterial thrombosis and cerebral edema. This event, though uncommon, highlights the need for awareness of potential vaccine side effects.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Immunology
- Vaccinology
Background:
- Venous thromboses are known complications of some COVID-19 vaccines.
- Limited data exists on the Moderna vaccine's association with arterial thrombosis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report a case of arterial infarct and cerebral edema following Moderna COVID-19 vaccination.
Main Methods:
- Case report of a 30-year-old female presenting with severe headache post-vaccination.
- Clinical course involved confusion, cortical thrombosis, elevated intracranial pressure, and hemicraniectomy.
- Pathological findings confirmed thrombosis and inflammation.
Main Results:
- The patient developed severe headache 24 hours after the first Moderna vaccine dose.
- Subsequent imaging revealed scattered cortical thrombosis and diffuse cerebral edema.
- Despite interventions, intractable intracranial hypertension led to a fatal outcome.
Conclusions:
- The presented case suggests a potential correlation between the mRNA vaccine and arterial thrombosis with cerebral edema.
- While rare, this complication warrants clinical awareness.
- Further research is needed to fully understand COVID-19 vaccine side effects.
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