Expedited review
Incidence and follow-up of inflammatory cardiac complications after smallpox vaccination1

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jacc.2004.05.004Get rights and content
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Abstract

Objectives

The purpose of this study was to assess the follow-up of patients with vaccinia-associated myocarditis.

Background

With the threat of biological warfare, the U.S. Department of Defense resumed a program for widespread smallpox vaccinations on December 13, 2002. One-year afterwards, there has been a significant increase in the occurrence of myocarditis and pericarditis among those vaccinated.

Methods

Cases were identified through sentinel reporting to military headquarters, systematic surveillance, and spontaneous reports.

Results

A total of 540,824 military personnel were vaccinated with a New York City Board of Health strain of vaccinia from December 2002 through December 2003. Of these, 67 developed myopericarditis at 10.4 ± 3.6 days after vaccination. The ST-segment elevation was noted in 57%, mean troponin on admission was 11.3± 22.7 ng/dl, and peak cardiac enzymes were noted within 8 h of presentation. On follow-up of 64 patients (96%) at a mean of 32 ± 16 weeks, all patients had objective normalization of echocardiography, electrocardiography, laboratory testing, graded exercise testing, and functional status; 8 (13%) reported atypical, non-limiting persistent chest discomfort.

Conclusions

Post-vaccinial myopericarditis should be considered in patients with chest pain within 30 days after smallpox vaccination. Normalization of echocardiography, electrocardiography, and treadmill testing is expected, and nearly all patients have resolution of chest pain on follow-up.

Abbreviations

CK
creatine kinase
DoD
Department of Defense
ECG
electrocardiogram
MI
myocardial infarction
NYCBOH
New York City Board of Health

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1

The views expressed in this study are those of the authors and do not reflect the official policy or position of the U.S. government.