Stress Induced Cardiomyopathy After the Covid-19 Vaccine

ABSTRACT

Introduction: The SARS-CoV-2 virus has potential to cause acute and long-term cardiac effects. The vaccines were developed to prevent severe illness, but there are concerns about vaccine related side effects. Specific to the heart there have been case reports of mRNA vaccine related cardiomyopathies, particularly myocarditis. We present a case of a patient with presumptive stress induced cardiomyopathy in the setting of recent Covid-19 mRNA vaccination. Case Presentation A 93-year-old female with a past medical history of hypertension presented with worsening shortness of breath and bilateral lower extremity edema. She received her second dose of the Covid-19 mRNA vaccine five days prior to presentation. She had no history of heart disease, was a nonsmoker, and denied alcohol or drug use. In the ED she was noted to be fluid-overloaded, and her CT chest showed minimal coronary calcification and bilateral pleural effusions. She was admitted for heart failure exacerbation and started on IV furosemide. Her transthoracic echocardiogram showed an ejection fraction of 40-45%. The pattern of left ventricular dysfunction was consistent with stress induced cardiomyopathy with apical akinesis and basal sparing of the left ventricular wall segments. Cardiology was consulted and recommended management with diuretics and beta blocker. She had a diuresis of 5 liters during her hospitalization. At clinic follow-up, dyspnea had improved, and her peripheral edema had resolved. Repeat echocardiogram showed recovery of left ventricular ejection fraction to 61% by Simpsons biplane technique with no regional wall motion abnormalities. Further cardiac assessment to evaluate for obstructive coronary artery disease and myocarditis was discussed and offered to the patient but was declined due to her positive response to conservative management. Discussion(s) The precise etiology of stress induced cardiomyopathy is unknown, but it is thought to be secondary to the sudden release of stress hormones. There are isolated reports of stress induced cardiomyopathy associated with Covid-19 vaccination, but the potential mechanism is unclear. An improved understanding of the potential effects of mRNA vaccines may help guide decisions regarding future booster vaccinations.