Japanese doctors confirm rare heart condition linked to COVID vaccine

A groundbreaking case study from Japan has documented the first known biopsy-proven instance of inflammatory dilated cardiomyopathy (iDCM)—a condition where the heart becomes enlarged and weakened due to inflammation—following COVID-19 vaccination.

Doctors at Narita-Tomisato Tokushukai Hospital in Chiba, Japan, used an endomyocardial biopsy to diagnose iDCM in a 78-year-old woman who developed heart problems after receiving her third COVID-19 vaccine dose.

The patient had previously received two doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine, followed by a Moderna mRNA-1273 booster.

The case, reported on July 1 in a peer-reviewed open-access article in the journal ESC Heart Failure, marks a significant advancement in understanding potential cardiac complications related to COVID-19 vaccines.

“While such severe reactions remain extremely rare, this case demonstrates the value of advanced diagnostic techniques in identifying and understanding vaccine-related side effects,” the doctors wrote.

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The patient was successfully treated with a corticosteroid, which improved her condition significantly but not completely. This outcome underscores the importance of prompt medical attention and accurate diagnosis for any unusual symptoms following vaccination. “Severe cases can be fatal if left untreated,” the doctors warned.

Dr. Peter McCullough agreed, telling The Defender that his January paper with Jessica Rose, Ph.D., and Nicolas Hulscher showed that in thousands of vaccine-associated myocarditis cases, the mortality rate is 2.9%.

McCullough emphasized that the Japanese paper is crucial as it addresses heart failure occurring months to years after COVID-19 vaccination. He urged doctors to consider the possibility that the COVID-19 vaccine might have caused the damage in patients with similar symptoms.

The patient, with no prior history of heart disease, experienced palpitations and shortness of breath on the fourth day after receiving her third COVID-19 vaccine dose. Her symptoms gradually worsened, and she was admitted to the hospital 11 days post-vaccination. Diagnostic tests indicated cardiac dysfunction.

An electrocardiogram (EKG) showed an abnormally rapid heart rate with disrupted electrical conduction patterns in both the right and left sides of the heart. Blood tests revealed elevated levels of cardiac troponin I and brain natriuretic peptide, both markers of myocardial stress and damage. An EKG demonstrated severely reduced left ventricular function, with an ejection fraction of only 20%.

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To rule out coronary artery disease, the medical team performed an X-ray test called coronary angiography, which showed no significant obstructions. The constellation of symptoms and test results led the physicians to diagnose iDCM, potentially associated with the recent COVID-19 vaccination. To establish a definitive diagnosis, they proceeded with an endomyocardial biopsy.

Responding to a tweet about the Japanese study, Lori Petersen, injured by the Pfizer vaccine, posted on X (formerly Twitter) on Thursday: “The endomyocardial biopsy provided crucial insights into the patient’s condition. Under the microscope, doctors observed signs of inflammation in the heart tissue, confirming the diagnosis of iDCM.

These signs included: The biopsy also revealed increased levels of tenascin-C, a protein that is typically elevated during active heart inflammation. This suggested the patient’s condition was in an active stage and potentially treatable.”

A cardiac MRI, another advanced imaging technique, showed additional signs of heart damage. It revealed an enlarged left ventricle and a pattern of scarring in the heart muscle wall that’s often seen in non-infectious causes of heart inflammation.

“The biopsy allowed us to directly observe the inflammatory process in the heart tissue, providing a level of certainty we haven’t had in previous cases of suspected vaccine-related heart issues,” the doctors wrote.

They emphasized how this case differs from previously reported vaccine-related heart issues. “Most reported cases of heart inflammation after COVID-19 vaccination have been myocarditis in young males.

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This case of iDCM in an older female patient expands our understanding of potential cardiac complications.” The detailed findings allowed doctors to distinguish this case from other types of heart problems and strongly suggested a link to the recent COVID-19 vaccination.

After confirming the diagnosis of iDCM through biopsy, doctors initiated a targeted treatment plan involving the oral corticosteroid prednisolone to reduce inflammation in the heart.

The case study provides new insights into the spectrum of cardiac complications potentially linked to COVID-19 vaccines. The researchers emphasized several key points in their discussion.

Current understanding of COVID-19 vaccine-associated myocarditis primarily involves cases in young males, often occurring after the second vaccine dose. The Japanese team acknowledged that while such severe reactions remain extremely rare, this case highlights the need for continued vigilance and thorough investigation of potential vaccine-related adverse events.