ABSTRACT
Background and Aim: MIS-C is a hyperinflammatory syndrome caused by Sars-CoV-2 virus. Cardiovascular system impairment is observed up to 100 % of all MIS-C patients with a wide spectrum and severity of symptoms. It is important to identify the course of the disease and its outcome, which could significantly improve public health. Method(s): A single-centre study, prospective cohort study, con-ducted in the Children's Clinical University hospital in Latvia from January to December 2021. Patients between the ages of one to seventeen years who met the MIS-C criteria were included in the study. We evaluated blood pressure, left ventricular heart func-tion, size of coronary arteries and hospital course. Result(s): Thirty-one patients were included who met the MIS-C criteria. The median age was 8.0 years, 52% were boys. Of all patients 77% initially presented with hypotension of whom 42% required inotropic support. Treatment in PICU was required in 58% of all patients. Reduced left ventricular ejection fraction was observed in 35% of all patients. Mildly decreased ventricular ejection fraction (lt;55%) was observed in 19% of cases but mod-erate dysfunction (ejection fraction lt;45%) was observed in 16% of patients. Twelve percent of patients received milrinone to improve left heart function. Left heart function significantly improved in all patients during the hospitalisation. In 6 % of all patients coronary artery dilations was observed. All patients had dilations resolution at the time of discharge. Median length of hospitalisation was twelve days and median length of PICU stay was three days. Conclusion(s): All patients cardiovascular symptoms had resolved at the time of discharge. Whether patients will have chronic cardiac impairment is unknown therefore it is crucial to perform long-term follow-up.
ABSTRACT
Background and Aim: The European Medicines Agency has approved mRNA vaccines developed by Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna for the vaccination of adolescents against the SARS-CoV-2 infection. Cases of myocarditis and pericarditis have been described as rare postvaccination complications. We describe the Latvian experience with adolescents suffering from myocarditis following COVID-19 vaccination. Method(s): From June to December 2021 four cases consistent with postvaccination myocarditis were admitted to the Children's Clinical University Hospital, which is the only centre with special-ized paediatric cardiology care in Latvia. The Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine had been used in all. An ECG, Holter monitoring and ECHO was done, HS Troponin I levels checked, the most common infectious causes of myocarditis were excluded, and a cardiac MRI was performed in all cases. Result(s): Case 1: 12-year-old girl, developed chest pain on postvac-cination day Nr 4 (PVD4) after the 1st dose. Holter monitoring revealed rare non-sustained ventricular tachycardia (NSVT), ECHO showed moderate mitral insufficiency, and a hyperecho-genic papillary muscle, troponin level peaked at 5339 pg/ml (PVD6), MRI (PVD 7) showed widespread myocardial oedema, transmural fibrosis. Symptoms resolved in 1 day, metoprolol suc-cinate and lisinopril were prescribed. Mitral insufficiency persists 5 months later. Case 2: 15-year-old boy, developed chest pain after the 2nd dose on PVD2 and lasted for 7 days, he was admitted on PVD11 with a peak troponin level of 19pg/ml. MRI (PVD15) showed widespread myocardial oedema. Metoprolol succinate was prescribed. Case 3: 15-year-old boy, developed chest pains on the day of the 1st dose and persisted for 35 days, he was admitted on PVD24 with peak troponin level 15ng/ml. MRI (PVD29) showed mild myocardial oedema, myocardial and pericardial fib-rosis. Case 4: 13-year-old boy, developed chest pain on PVD2, which lasted for 65 days, he had an episode of syncope. Holter monitoring showed frequent PVCs, and NSVT, on PVD34 tro-ponin level was 2,5pg/ml. The child received a course of NSAIDs and was referred to us on PVD68. MRI (PVD69) revealed wide-spread myocardial oedema, fibrosis, and pericarditis. Methylprednisolone was given, and betaxolol was prescribed. Conclusion(s): Our case series show that some cases of postvaccination myocarditis develop complications requiring long-term treatment.