Tweet
Eur Heart J Case Rep
. 2022 Jan 10;6(1):ytac007.
doi: 10.1093/ehjcr/ytac007. eCollection 2022 Jan.
Fulminant myocarditis following coronavirus disease 2019 vaccination: a case report
Arianne Clare C Agdamag 1 , Daniel Gonzalez 1 , Katie Carlson 2 , Suma Konety 1 , William C McDonald 3 , Cindy M Martin 1 , Valmiki Maharaj 1 , Tamas Alexy 1
Affiliations
- PMID: 35088026
- PMCID: PMC8790078
- DOI: 10.1093/ehjcr/ytac007
Abstract
Background: The BNT162b2 vaccine received emergency use authorization from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the prevention of severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection. We report a case of biopsy and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-proven severe myocarditis that developed in a previously healthy individual within days of receiving the first dose of the BNT162b2 COVID-19 vaccine.
Case summary: An 80-year-old female with no significant cardiac history presented with cardiogenic shock and biopsy-proven fulminant myocarditis within 12 days of receiving the BNT162b2 COVID-19 vaccine. She required temporary mechanical circulatory support, inotropic agents, and high-dose steroids for stabilization and management. Ultimately, her cardiac function recovered, and she was discharged in stable condition after 2 weeks of hospitalization. A repeat cardiac MRI 3 months after her initial presentation demonstrated stable biventricular function and continued improvement in myocardial inflammation.
Discussion: Fulminant myocarditis is a rare complication of vaccination. Clinicians should stay vigilant to recognize this rare, but potentially deadly complication. Due to the high morbidity and mortality associated with COVID-19 infection, the clinical benefits of the BNT162b2 vaccine greatly outweighs the risks of complications.
Keywords: COVID-19; Cardiogenic shock; Case report; Mechanical circulatory support device; Myocarditis; Vaccine.