Corticosteroid Therapy in Management of Myocarditis Associated with COVID-19; a Systematic Review of Current Evidence

COVID-19, Myocarditis and Pericarditis

Viral infections are a leading cause of myocarditis and pericarditis worldwide, conditions that frequently coexist. Myocarditis and pericarditis were some of the early comorbidities associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19. Many epidemiologic studies have been conducted since that time concluding that SARS-CoV-2 increased the incidence of myocarditis/pericarditis at least 15× over pre-COVID levels although the condition remains rare. The incidence of myocarditis pre-COVID was reported at 1 to 10 cases/100 000 individuals and with COVID ranging from 150 to 4000 cases/100 000 individuals. Before COVID-19, some vaccines were reported to cause myocarditis and pericarditis in rare cases, but the use of novel mRNA platforms led to a higher number of reported cases than with previous platforms providing new insight into potential pathogenic mechanisms. The incidence of COVID-19 vaccine-associated myocarditis/pericarditis covers a large range depending on the vaccine platform, age, and sex examined. Importantly, the findings highlight that myocarditis occurs predominantly in male patients aged 12 to 40 years regardless of whether the cause was due to a virus-like SARS-CoV-2 or associated with a vaccine-a demographic that has been reported before COVID-19. This review discusses findings from COVID-19 and COVID-19 vaccine-associated myocarditis and pericarditis considering the known symptoms, diagnosis, management, treatment, and pathogenesis of disease that has been gleaned from clinical research and animal models. Sex differences in the immune response to COVID-19 are discussed, and theories for how mRNA vaccines could lead to myocarditis/pericarditis are proposed. Additionally, gaps in our understanding that need further research are raised.

A perspective study of the possible impact of obeticholic acid against SARS-CoV-2 infection

The causative agent of CoV disease 2019 is a new coronavirus CoV type 2, affecting the respiratory tract with severe manifestations (SARS-CoV-2). Covid-19 is mainly symptomless, with slight indications in about 85% of the affected cases. Many efforts were done to face this pandemic by testing different drugs and agents to make treatment protocols in different countries. However, the use of these proposed drugs is associated with the development of adverse events. Remarkably, the successive development of SARS-CoV-2 variants which could affect persons even they were vaccinated, prerequisite wide search to find efficient and safe agents to face SARS-CoV-2 infection. Obeticholic acid (OCA), which has anti-inflammatory effects, may efficiently treat Covid-19. Thus, the goal of this perspective study is to focus on the possible medicinal effectiveness in managing Covid-19. OCA is a powerful farnesoid X receptor (FXR) agonist possessing marked antiviral and anti-inflammatory effects. FXR is dysregulated in Covid-19 resulting in hyper-inflammation with concurrent occurrence of hypercytokinemia. Interestingly, OCA inhibits the reaction between this virus and angiotensin-converting enzyme type 2 (ACE2) receptors. FXR agonists control the expression of ACE2 and the inflammatory signaling pathways in this respiratory syndrome, which weakens the effects of Covid-19 disease and accompanied complications. Taken together, FXR agonists like OCA may reveal both direct and indirect impacts in the modulation of immune reaction in SARS-CoV-2 conditions. It is highly recommended to perform many investigations regarding different phases of the discovery of new drugs.

Role of Endomyocardial Biopsy in Diagnostics of Myocarditis

Endomyocardial biopsy as the cornerstone of diagnostics has been re-evaluated throughout the years, leaving unanswered questions on the precedence of it. The reported incidence of myocarditis has increased during the pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), reinforcing discussions on appropriate diagnostics of myocarditis. By analysis of evidence-based literature published within the last demi-decade, we aimed to summarize the most recent information in order to evaluate the current role of endomyocardial biopsy in diagnostics and management of myocarditis. For the most part, research published over the last five years showed ongoing uncertainty regarding the use, informativeness, safety and necessity of performing a biopsy. Special circumstances, such as fulminant clinical course or failure to respond to empirical treatment, were reconfirmed as justified indications, with a growing applicability of non-invasive diagnostic approaches for most other cases. We concluded that endomyocardial biopsy, if performed properly and with adjunct diagnostic methods, holds a critical role for treatment correction in specific histological subtypes of myocarditis and for differential diagnosis between immune-mediated myocarditis and secondary infections due to immunosuppressive treatment. A high level of possible misdiagnosing was detected, indicating the need to review terminology used to describe findings of myocardial inflammation that did not meet Dallas criteria.

Cardiovascular complications of COVID-19 severe acute respiratory syndrome

603,711,760 confirmed cases of COVID-19 have been reported throughout the world and 6,484,136 individuals have died from complications of COVID-19 as of September 7, 2022. Significantly, the Omicron variant has produced the largest number of COVID-19 associated hospitalizations since the beginning of the pandemic. Cardiac injury occurs in ≥20% of the hospitalized patients with COVID-19 and is associated with cardiac dysrhythmias in 17 to 44%, cardiac injury with increases in blood troponin in 22 to 40%, myocarditis in 2 to 7%, heart failure in 4 to 21%, and thromboembolic events in 15 to 39%. Risk factors for cardiac complications include age >70 years, male sex, BMI ≥30 kg/m2, diabetes, pre-existing cardiovascular disease, and moderate to severe pneumonia at hospital presentation. Patients with prior cardiovascular disease who contract COVID-19 and experience a significant increase in their blood troponin concentration are at risk for mortality rates as high as 69%. This review focuses on the prevalence, the pathophysiologic mechanisms of CoV-2 injury to the cardiovascular system and the current recommended treatments in hospitalized patients with COVID-19 in order that medical personnel can decrease the morbidity and mortality of patients with COVID-19 and effectively treat patients with Covid and post Covid syndrome.

COVID-19 and Myocarditis: Review of Clinical Presentations, Pathogenesis and Management

There are four main myocarditis presentations identified in the context of severe acute respiratory coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2): myocarditis associated with acute coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection, post-acute COVID-19 syndrome, multisystem inflammatory syndrome, and vaccination-associated myocarditis. This article reviews the clinical features and current management strategies for each of these presentations. The overall prevalence of myocarditis is considered to be rare, although accurate estimation is affected by heterogeneity in diagnostic criteria and reporting, as well as infrequent use of gold-standard diagnostic endomyocardial biopsy. Severity of disease can range from mild symptoms to fulminant myocarditis. Therapeutic interventions are typically supportive and extrapolated from treatment for non-COVID-19 viral myocarditis. Several pathogenic mechanisms for the development of myocarditis have been proposed, and ongoing research is critical for elucidating disease pathogenesis and potentially identifying therapeutic targets. The long-term cardiovascular sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infections and associated myocarditis require further elucidation and understanding.

Concurrent myopathy and inflammatory cardiac disease in COVID-19 patients: a case series and literature review

Adult COVID-19 patients can present with acute muscle and/or cardiac involvement. Our study aims to describe the incidence and characteristics of patients with the co-occurrence of COVID-19 myopathy and inflammatory cardiac disease. We retrospectively reviewed all COVID-19 patients admitted to a large tertiary center to assess the co-occurrence of myopathy and inflammatory cardiac disease. We conducted a literature review of prior relevant case reports. There were three COVID-19 patients with concurrent involvement from our center and five cases in the published literature. Overall, mean age was 57.7 ± 16, four were females (50%) and only two patients (25%) had major relevant comorbidities. Muscle involvement included rhabdomyolysis or myositis and cardiac involvement included myocarditis or pericarditis. Most patients (75%) had no respiratory COVID-19 symptoms. Troponin and creatine phosphokinase levels were higher than twofold of the upper limit of normal for all patients. Steroids were used in the treatment of most patients (75%). All patients had a resolution or improvement of their extra-pulmonary involvement while two (25%) deteriorated due to COVID-19 pneumonia. The incidence for this co-occurrence is 0.07% among hospitalized COVID-19 patients. Patients with these rare COVID-19 simultaneous manifestations have distinct features. They are generally younger, present with extra-pulmonary symptoms and do not have severe respiratory compromise. An underdiagnosis causing treatment delay is possible. Further study is needed.

Cardiomyopathy Associated with Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Vaccination: What Do We Know?

The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has mobilized many efforts worldwide to curb its impact on morbidity and mortality. Vaccination of the general population has resulted in the administration of more than 6,700,000,000 doses by the end of October 2021, which is the most effective method to prevent hospitalization and death. Among the adverse effects described, myocarditis and pericarditis are low-frequency events (less than 10 per 100,000 people), mainly observed with messenger RNA vaccines. The mechanisms responsible for these effects have not been specified, considering an exacerbated and uncontrolled immune response and an autoimmune response against specific cardiomyocyte proteins. This greater immunogenicity and reactogenicity is clinically manifested in a differential manner in pediatric patients, adults, and the elderly, determining specific characteristics of its presentation for each age group. It generally develops as a condition of mild to moderate severity, whose symptoms and imaging findings are self-limited, resolving favorably in days to weeks and, exceptionally, reporting deaths associated with this complication. The short- and medium-term prognosis is favorable, highlighting the lack of data on long-term evolution, which should be determined in longer follow-ups.

COVID-19 Infection and Myocarditis: A State-of-the-Art Systematic Review

BACKGROUND

COVID-19 was initially considered to be a respiratory illness, but current findings suggest that SARS-CoV-2 is increasingly expressed in cardiac myocytes as well. COVID-19 may lead to cardiovascular injuries, resulting in myocarditis, with inflammation of the heart muscle.

OBJECTIVE

This systematic review collates current evidence about demographics, symptomatology, diagnostic, and clinical outcomes of COVID-19 infected patients with myocarditis.

METHODS

In accordance with PRISMA 2020 guidelines, a systematic search was conducted using PubMed, Cochrane Central, Web of Science and Google Scholar until August, 2021. A combination of the following keywords was used: SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19, myocarditis. Cohorts and case reports that comprised of patients with confirmed myocarditis due to COVID-19 infection, aged >18 years were included. The findings were tabulated and subsequently synthesized.

RESULTS

In total, 54 case reports and 5 cohorts were identified comprising 215 patients. Hypertension (51.7%), diabetes mellitus type 2 (46.4%), cardiac comorbidities (14.6%) were the 3 most reported comorbidities. Majority of the patients presented with cough (61.9%), fever (60.4%), shortness of breath (53.2%), and chest pain (43.9%). Inflammatory markers were raised in 97.8% patients, whereas cardiac markers were elevated in 94.8% of the included patients. On noting radiographic findings, cardiomegaly (32.5%) was the most common finding. Electrocardiography testing obtained ST segment elevation among 44.8% patients and T wave inversion in 7.3% of the sample. Cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging yielded 83.3% patients with myocardial edema, with late gadolinium enhancement in 63.9% patients. In hospital management consisted of azithromycin (25.5%), methylprednisolone/steroids (8.5%), and other standard care treatments for COVID-19. The most common in-hospital complication included acute respiratory distress syndrome (66.4%) and cardiogenic shock (14%). On last follow up, 64.7% of the patients survived, whereas 31.8% patients did not survive, and 3.5% were in the critical care unit.

CONCLUSION

It is essential to demarcate COVID-19 infection and myocarditis presentations due to the heightened risk of death among patients contracting both myocardial inflammation and ARDS. With a multitude of diagnostic and treatment options available for COVID-19 and myocarditis, patients that are under high risk of suspicion for COVID-19 induced myocarditis must be appropriately diagnosed and treated to curb co-infections.