In the article “Vaccine-Induced Myocarditis in Two Intern Doctors in the Same Night Shift,” myocarditis cases that developed after the first dose of the BNT162b2 vaccine (Pfizer-BioNTech’s [New York USA] coronavirus disease 2019 [COVID-19] vaccine) were mentioned. Reference Canakci, Sevik, Dereli, Mert and Acar1 In this article, it was stated that myocarditis cases were mild. There is a need to provide information about myocarditis-related processes. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed in both patients and Ejection Fraction ratios were found to be 68% and 62%. Left ventricular function was normal, and no increase in enhancement was detected in late contrast examinations. There was no sign which depicts scar tissue in the heart (Figure 1 and Figure 2). The echocardiography showed that left ventricular functions were normal and there was no diastolic dysfunction. Also, no valve pathology was found.
We think that some scientific data should be included in addition to the general condition of the cases. According to a study conducted in 40 centers, myocarditis cases developing on the seventh day after severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection in men aged 18-29 were seen at much higher rates than both the first dose and the second dose of vaccine (RR: 61.8 [95% CI, 8.5-451.8] and RR: 7.0 [95% CI, 3.7-19.1], respectively). In addition, the risk of myocarditis after SARS-CoV-2 was statistically higher than in the post-vaccination period, similarly in other age groups and female gender. Reference Block2
Myocarditis linked to the COVID-19 mRNA vaccine typically affects young persons and is usually mild. Also, COVID-19 vaccination lowers the relative risk of myocarditis and arrhythmia. Reference Heymans and Cooper3
A study showed intubation or mechanical ventilation was only used in two patients, and 12 cases were treated with vasoactive drugs in patients younger than 30 years. There were no confirmed cases of myocarditis needing extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, a ventricular assist device, or a heart transplant. Reference Oster, Shay and Su4
In the light of these information, it should not be forgotten that vaccination is still very valuable and booster vaccination should be made to prevent new pandemic waves in the on-going process.
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Target article
Myocarditis After Vaccination
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Vaccine-Induced Myocarditis in Two Intern Doctors in the Same Night Shift