SARS-CoV-2 Related Myocarditis: What We Know So Far

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Infectious Diseases
• Immunology

Background:

• Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (COVID-19) can lead to cardiovascular complications.
• Myocarditis, or heart inflammation, is a rare but serious complication of COVID-19.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review current data on COVID-19-related myocarditis.
• To discuss management strategies and therapies for COVID-19 myocarditis.
• To briefly describe COVID-19 vaccine-associated myocarditis.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of current data on COVID-19 myocarditis.
• Analysis of management strategies and therapeutic approaches.
• Inclusion of information on vaccine-associated myocarditis.

Main Results:

• COVID-19 myocarditis affects a minority of patients, with a prevalence of 10-105 cases per 100,000 infected individuals.
• Fulminant myocarditis (FM) presents with cardiogenic shock and ventricular arrhythmias, leading to high mortality.
• Standard medical therapy may be insufficient, requiring inotropic and immunosuppressive drugs like corticosteroids.

Conclusions:

• COVID-19 myocarditis requires specific clinical attention due to its potential severity.
• Management may necessitate advanced therapies beyond standard ACE inhibitors and beta-blockers.
• Understanding vaccine-associated myocarditis is crucial for clinicians.