[A rare case of myocarditis and pulmonary embolism after BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine]. / Raro caso di miocardite ed embolia polmonare dopo vaccino a mRNA BNT162b2.

ABSTRACT

In the clinical research arsenal, the COVID-19 vaccines are the strongest weapons against the most important worldwide sanitary crisis of the last centuries. Even if vaccine adverse events have mild clinical relevance, several thromboembolic events occurring after adenoviral recombinant vaccine administration have been reported. Cases of myocarditis and pericarditis after administration of mRNA vaccines have also recently been described. We report the case of a patient who suffered from two rare adverse events after BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine administration (Pfizer-BioNTech) acute myocarditis and pulmonary embolism. Although the temporal consequentiality does not demonstrate a causal link, the strong analogies emerging in the latest clinical reports suggest a possible relation. Further studies are needed to understand the potential mechanisms of myocardial damage and atypical thrombosis. Despite the favorable and self-limiting clinical course of post-vaccinal myocarditis, in these cases a tight follow-up is advisable and vaccine adverse event reporting remains mandatory, especially if not described during pivotal clinical trials.