Heart News
mRNA vaccines found to elevate risk of myocarditis in young men
CDC warns of treatable heart risks , but says they are outweighed by vaccines ’ benefits
America ’ s leading public health agency , pointing to strong evidence , has warned that some COVID-19 vaccines could be associated with heart risks in younger people .
At the same time , the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention ( CDC ) reiterated the high effectiveness of the Pfizer-�ioNTech and Moderna m�NA vaccines in preventing coronavirus infections in frontline workers , after presenting a study that showed an over 90 percent reduced risk of infection two or more weeks after vaccination .
Nevertheless , the CDC has acknowledged observing an elevated risk for myocarditis among m�NA COVID-19 vaccines , particularly in males aged 12 – 29 years . However , most of those who suffered from the condition responded well to treatment and quickly felt better .
Myocarditis typically occurs more commonly in men than women , while incidence is highest among infants , adolescents , and young adults . Symptoms typically include chest pain , shortness of breath , or heart palpitations . Current guidelines from the American Heart Association and American College of Cardiology recommend restricting exercise until the heart recovers .
Since last June , the CDC ’ s Advisory Committee on Immunisation Practices has convened 15 public meetings to review data on the epidemiology of the disease and use of vaccines against it . After reports of myocarditis , the work group reviewed clinical trial and safety data for patients who received m�NA vaccines .
Over the last year , the committee found myocarditis reporting rates at 40 . � cases per million second doses of m�NA COVID-19 vaccines administered to males aged under 29 years and 2.4 cases per million second doses administered to males aged 30 or above . In women , the rates were 4.2 and 1.0 , respectively .
The committee has since concluded that the benefits of COVID-19 vaccination to individual persons and at the population level clearly outweighed the risks of myocarditis after vaccination .
New pacemaker literally melts in your heart
New bioresorbable device can last for weeks , is safe , and reduces risk of infection
Scientists in America have developed the firstever transient pacemaker that dissolves when no longer needed .
The thin , flexible , lightweight device could be used in patients whose hearts need temporary pacing after cardiac surgery or while waiting for a permanent pacemaker .
All components of the pacemaker are biocompatible and naturally absorb into the body ’ s biofluids over the course of five to seven weeks without needing surgical extraction .
The device wirelessly harvests energy from a remote external antenna using the same near-field communication technology used in smartphones . This eliminates the need for bulky batteries and rigid hardware , including wires .
“ Sometimes patients only need pacemakers temporarily , perhaps after an open heart surgery , heart attack , or drug overdose ,” said Dr John �ogers of Northwestern University , on announcing the device ’ s development . “ Hardware placed in or near the heart creates risks for infection and other complications .”
The fully implantable device measures 250 microns in thickness and weighs less than half a gram . Soft and flexible , it encapsulates electrodes that softly laminate onto the heart ’ s surface to deliver an electrical pulse .
�The circuitry is implanted directly on the surface of the heart , and we can activate it remotely . Over a period of weeks , this new type of pacemaker ‘ dissolves ’ or degrades on its own , thereby avoiding the need for physical removal of the pacemaker electrodes . This is potentially a major victory for post-operative patients ,” Dr Rogers added .
This is the second example of electronic medicine from his lab , the first being his 201� demonstration of the world ’ s first biodegradable implant that speeds nerve regeneration . The team ’ s bioresorbable devices are completely harmless and similar to absorbable stitches . After fully degrading , the devices completely disappear through the body ’ s natural biological processes .
SOURCE : NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY / GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY
22 AUGUST 2021 GlobalHealthAsiaPacific . com