The Rise of mRNA COVID-19 Vaccine-Associated Myocarditis and Its Implications on the Future Use of This New Vaccine Platform

Abstract

Vaccine-associated myocarditis is becoming increasingly documented as a complication of the messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) vaccination platform. This complication so far has been found to predominantly affect the younger male population within seven days of receiving the second dose of an mRNA vaccine. We present a case of a 45-year-old male found to have clinical, biochemical, and radiological evidence of myocarditis three days after receipt of the second dose of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine. Troponin I and inflammatory marker trends, in addition to the use of cardiac MRI imaging, was important in making the diagnosis. Symptom resolution was achieved after two months of colchicine and anti-heart failure medications. We highlight the occurrence of this rare vaccine complication in an endeavor to stress the need for further research to better understand this condition so that better guidance can be provided to the medical community on how best to screen and manage it.