Assessing Myocardial ¹⁸F-FDG Uptake in COVID-19 Vaccinated, Nonvaccinated Patients

Background: Vaccines to prevent COVID-19 infection are effective in reducing morbidity and mortality related to respiratory complications but can uncommonly have significant side effects. Myocarditis is a rare side effect linked to the mRNA vaccines. Cardiac MRI and 18 F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) PET-CT imaging are used for the noninvasive diagnosis of myocardial inflammation, and there is good agreement reported between late gadolinium enhancement or T2 hyperintensity on cardiac MRI and FDG-PET uptake in patients with suspected myocarditis. A recent MRI study reported myocardial injury from COVID-19 vaccine was similar but less severe to that from COVID-19 myocarditis. It is not known whether 18 F-FDG uptake or MRI abnormalities would occur in asymptomatic individuals following COVID-19 vaccination. Objective: To evaluate and compare myocardial 18 F-FDG uptake on PET/CT in asymptomatic COVID-19 vaccinated patients compared to nonvaccinated patients. Design: Retrospective study. Metho more...