International studies have found that heart inflammation is rare among people hospitalized with COVID-19.

Research highlights:

• In a new international study, 54 out of approximately 57,000 adults hospitalized for COVID-19 infection (2.4 out of 1,000) have inflammation of the heart muscle, which is often caused by viral infections. I found out that I had developed an acute myocarditis. The study data were from the first 14 months of the COVID-19 pandemic, before the COVID-19 vaccine became widely available.
• Of the 54 people hospitalized for COVID-19 diagnosed with myocarditis, those who also developed pneumonia were more likely to need a ventilator to help breathing and were at increased risk of death.
• Fulminant myocarditis, a more severe myocarditis, occurred in about 40% of patients with confirmed myocarditis.

Monday, April 11, 2022 Embargoed until 1:00 pm CT / 2:00 ET ET

Dallas, April 11, 2022-Acute myocarditis, an inflammation of the heart muscle normally caused by the virus, occurs in about 2 out of 1,000 people admitted with COVID-19 and is more severe in COVID-people. Was associated with various illnesses and complications. 19, especially among people suffering from pneumonia, according to a new study published today in the peer-review journal, the flagship of the American Heart Association. Circulation..

Myocarditis is a rare but serious condition that causes inflammation of the heart muscle. It can weaken the heart and its electrical system, making it difficult for the heart to pump blood. Episodes of myocarditis can be resolved on their own, by treatment, or cause long-term damage.

“COVID-19 is a virus that primarily causes acute respiratory illness, but there are a few individuals who also experience heart complications,” said Dr. Enrico Ammirati, co-author of the study. Cardiologist at the Degasperis Cardiovascular Center and Transplant Center at Niguarda Hospital in Milan, Italy. “Previous small studies have shown that acute myocarditis rarely occurs in people infected with COVID-19. Our analysis of international data shows that the COVID-19 vaccine is particularly widespread. It provides better insights into the development of acute myocarditis during COVID-19 hospitalization before it becomes available. ”

This international study examined the health data of approximately 57,000 people who were hospitalized with COVID-19 from February 2020 to April 2021 and were treated in 23 hospitals in the United States and Europe.

Within a large study group, a total of 54 people admitted with COVID-19 suffered from definite or possible acute myocarditis based on the results of cardiac muscle biopsy and / or magnetic resonance imaging. Was identified as being. Most people in this study were non-Hispanic Caucasian adults (76.5%) with an average age of 38 years and more than half were male (61%). All confirmed cases of COVID-19 infection based on standard laboratory tests, and no one was vaccinated with COVID-19 before the onset of myocarditis.

The survey analysis revealed the following:

• An estimated 2.4 per 1,000 hospitalized for COVID-19 suffered from acute myocarditis.
• Acute myocarditis occurred more frequently in people without pneumonia (57.4%) and was associated with abnormal or unstable blood flow (hemodynamic instability) in 32% of cases.
• People found to have both COVID-19-related acute myocarditis and pneumonia had a 15.1% mortality rate compared to those who did not die during hospitalization for those who did not have pneumonia. I had it. People with pneumonia were older than those without pneumonia (mean age 45 vs. 30 years, respectively).
• One in five people (20.4%) with confirmed myocarditis mostly suffered from pneumonia and either needed mechanical support for circulation or died during hospitalization.
• Twenty-one (38.9%) suffered from fulminant (severe and / or sudden) acute myocarditis, and due to shock, they needed immediate dosing assistance and mechanical circulation assistance.

The authors state that the potential incidence of myocarditis associated with COVID-19 can be 1.2-5.7 per 1,000 hospitalized for COVID-19. Some people have identified possible myocarditis based on preliminary trials, but were not included in the final analysis because they did not meet all the protocols in the study.

“This analysis shows that rare inpatients with acute myocarditis associated with COVID-19 infection require admission to the intensive care unit in up to 70.5% of cases, despite the average age of the individuals studied. Shows that , In Brescia, Italy.

This study has some limitations. Since the analysis was retroactive, there may have been a potential selection bias. In addition, due to lack of images or biopsy information, 43 potential acute myocarditis were excluded. People over the age of 70 were also not included due to the high likelihood of age-related heart problems visible on magnetic resonance imaging. Some people were not screened for other viruses or immunological causes of myocarditis, so there may have been other factors. In addition, some hospitals that were hit hard in the early stages of the pandemic may have overlooked people with acute myocarditis.

Co-authors are Laura Lupi, MD. Matteo Palazzini, MD; Nicholas S. Hendren, MD; Justin L. Grodin, MD, MPH; Carlo V. Cannistraci, Eng. , Ph.D. Matthew Schmidt, MD; Guillaume Hekimian, MD; Giovanni Pellet, MD; Thomas Bohatton, MD; Ahmad Hayek, MD; Nicolas Piriou, MD; Sergio Leonardi, MD; Stephania Gida, MD; Annalisa Turco, MD; Simone Sarah, MD; Aitor Uribarri, MD; Caroline M. Van de Heyning, MD, Ph.D. Massimomaperi, MD; Jeness Campodonico, MD; Patrizia Pedrotti, MD; Maria Isabel Barionuevo Sanchez Doctor of Medicine. Albert Arizasol, MD; Marco Marini, MD; Maria Vittoria Matassini, MD; Mickael Vourc’h, MD; Antonio Cannata, MD; Daniel I. Bromage, MD; Daniele Briguglia, MD; Jorge Salamanca, MD; Pablo Diez-Villanueva, MD, Ph.D. Yucca Leftnen, MD; Florent Huang, MD; Stephanie Russell, MD; Francesco Soriano, MD; Fabrizio Turrini, MD; Manlio Cipriani, MD; Manuela Bramerio, MD; Mattia Di Pasquale, MD; Aurelia Grosu, MD; , MD; Davide Farina, MD; Piergiuseppe Agostoni, MD; Stefania Rizzo, MD, Ph.D. Monica De Gaspari, MD; Francesca Marzo, MD; Jason M. Duran, MD, Ph.D. Eric D. Adler, MD; Cristina Giannattasio, MD, Ph.D. Cristina Basso, MD, Ph.D. Teresa McDonna, MD; Mathieu Kerneis, MD; Alan Conves, MD; Paolo G. Camici, MD; James A. Delemos, MD The author’s disclosure is contained in the manuscript.

This study was funded by a provincial grant from Italy and a cardiovascular pathology registry in the Veneto region of Italy.

Studies published in the American Heart Association scientific journal have been peer-reviewed. The descriptions and conclusions of each manuscript are those of the research author only and do not necessarily reflect the policies and positions of the association. The Association makes no representations or warranties with respect to its accuracy or reliability. The association mainly receives funds from individuals. Foundations and businesses (including pharmaceuticals, device manufacturers, and other businesses) also donate to fund programs and events for specific associations. The association has a strict policy to prevent these relationships from affecting the content of science. Revenues from pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, device makers, health insurance providers, and the association’s overall financial information are available. Here..

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