Cardiovascular magnetic resonance findings in young adult patients with acute myocarditis following mRNA COVID-19 vaccination: a case series

J Cardiovasc Magn Reson. 2021 Sep 9;23(1):101. doi: 10.1186/s12968-021-00795-4.

Abstract

Background: Messenger RNA (mRNA) coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine are known to cause minor side effects at the injection site and mild global systemic symptoms in first 24-48 h. Recently published case series have reported a possible association between acute myocarditis and COVID-19 vaccination, predominantly in young males.

Methods: We report a case series of 5 young male patients with cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR)-confirmed acute myocarditis within 72 h after receiving a dose of an mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccine.

Results: Our case series suggests that myocarditis in this setting is characterized by myocardial edema and late gadolinium enhancement in the lateral wall of the left ventricular (LV) myocardium, reduced global LV longitudinal strain, and preserved LV ejection fraction. All patients in our series remained clinically stable during a relatively short inpatient hospital stay.

Conclusions: In conjunction with other recently published case series and national vaccine safety surveillance data, this case series suggests a possible association between acute myocarditis and COVID-19 vaccination in young males and highlights a potential pattern in accompanying CMR abnormalities.

Keywords: Acute myocarditis; Acute myopericarditis; COVID-19 infection; COVID-19 vaccination.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Acute Disease
  • Adult
  • COVID-19 / prevention & control*
  • COVID-19 Vaccines / adverse effects*
  • Heart / diagnostic imaging
  • Heart / physiopathology
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Cine / methods*
  • Male
  • Myocarditis / diagnostic imaging*
  • Myocarditis / physiopathology
  • Predictive Value of Tests
  • SARS-CoV-2
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • COVID-19 Vaccines