Incidence, Clinical Presentation, and Management of Myocarditis following mRNA-Based Covid-19 Vaccines: A Brief Report

Background: Recent surveillance studies following nationwide mass vaccination are investigating rare complications such as myocarditis, pericarditis and thromboembolic events related to mRNA-based Covid-19 vaccines. Summary: In the current report, we present an overview of the incidence, clinical presentation and management of post-mRNA vaccine myocarditis and pericarditis in view of the currently available data. Our main focus is directed towards myocarditis. Key messages: Myocarditis following mRNA-based Covid-19 vaccines is rare, more frequently affects younger men <30 years and is usually of mild severity with spontaneous recovery. The overall benefit of mRNA vaccines in terms of protecting from severe Covid-19 infection and associated cardiovascular complications outweighs the risk of post-vaccination myocarditis. Currently, there are no dedicated guidelines for patients with post-vaccination myocarditis or pericarditis in terms of the frequency of follow-up including clinical assessment and a repeated echocardiography and cardiac resonance imaging. However, follow-up studies in terms of long-term consequences are underway.