Unraveling the Mystery of COVID-19 Postvaccination Myocarditis: A Systematic Review of Current Cases

Int J Clin Pract. 2022 Jan 31:2022:2438913. doi: 10.1155/2022/2438913. eCollection 2022.

Abstract

From the early stages of the pandemic, the development and mass production of a safe and effective vaccine seemed like the greatest tool, to win the fight against the virus. In the present study, we comprehensively conducted a systematic review of all current cases worldwide to better understand whether there is a link between COVID-19 vaccination and one of the most devastating complications, cardiac Inflammation. Our search retrieved over 250 results, of which 130 met the inclusion criteria, and their respective data were extracted. The results suggest that postvaccination myocarditis and pericarditis are more likely to be seen in male, younger, and mRNA-vaccinated individuals. Most affected patients experienced symptoms following the second shot, and complaint of chest pain was the most prevalent presentation. Currently, no direct link can be drawn between the vaccines and the risk of cardiac inflammation.

Publication types

  • Review
  • Systematic Review

MeSH terms

  • COVID-19 Vaccines* / adverse effects
  • COVID-19* / prevention & control
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Myocarditis* / chemically induced
  • Pericarditis* / chemically induced
  • mRNA Vaccines / adverse effects

Substances

  • COVID-19 Vaccines
  • mRNA Vaccines