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Constantin Schwab, Lisa Maria Domke, Laura Hartmann, Albrecht Stenzinger, Thomas Longerich, and Peter Schirmacher
November 27, 2022
Clinical Research in Cardiology
Heidelberg University Hospital (Germany)

Introduction: … Recently, unusual cases of (epi-)myocarditis after vaccination with mRNA-based anti-SARS-CoV-2-vaccines have been documented. These were clinically observed and diagnosed by laboratory and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging, predominantly in males under 30 years of age…

Here, we describe the cardiac autopsy findings in five persons who have died unexpectedly within seven days following anti-SARS-CoV-2-vaccination, with vaccine-induced myocardial inflammation representing the likely or possible cause of death. Our findings establish the histological phenotype of lethal vaccination-associated myocarditis

Results: … Four persons died after the first vaccine jab, the remaining case after the second dose. All persons died within the first week following vaccination (mean 2.5 days, median 2 days)…

All cases lacked significant coronary heart disease, acute or chronic manifestations of ischaemic heart disease, manifestations of cardiomyopathy or other signs of a pre-existing, clinically relevant heart disease.

Discussion: In general, a causal link between myocarditis and anti-SARS-CoV-2 vaccination is supported by several considerations: (A) a close temporal relation to vaccination; all cases were found dead within one week after vaccination, (B) absence of any other significant pre-existing heart disease, especially ischaemic heart disease or cardiomyopathy, (C) negative testing for potential myocarditis-causing infectious agents, (D) presence of a peculiar CD4 predominant T-cell infiltrate, suggesting an immune mediated mechanism.”

document
adverse events,COVID-19,heart disorders,vaccines