Acute myocarditis during the COVID-19 pandemic: A single center experience

Objective We sought to compare the occurrence and characteristics of patients with acute myocarditis admitted during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic to those admitted prior. Design We performed a retrospective chart review of patients with the primary discharge diagnosis of acute myocarditis from September 1st 2017 through August 31st 2020. Results We identified 67 patients, 45 (67%) admitted pre-pandemic, and 22 (33%) during the pandemic. Rate of admissions for acute myocarditis was 1.5/month [95% CI 1.04-1.95] pre-pandemic, and 3.7/month [95% CI 2.36-4.97] (p < 0.001) during the first 6 months of the pandemic. Of the 22 patients admitted during the pandemic, 10 (45%) tested positive for SARS-CoV-2. Patients who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 were older and had lower peak troponin levels. Conclusions During the pandemic, less than half of the patients admitted with acute myocarditis tested positive for SARS-CoV-2. Patients who tested positive were older and had lower peak troponin levels.