Acute Myocardial Infarction after Laboratory-Confirmed Influenza Infection

Abstract

We found a significant association between respiratory infections, especially influenza, and acute myocardial infarction. (Funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and others.).

Assessment of neopterin and indoleamine 2,3‐dioxygenase activity in patients with seasonal influenza: A pilot study

“…There is growing evidence that elevated cell‐mediated immune response as measured by neopterin and IDO is associated with elevated cardiovascular mortality, as shown in large epidemiological studies . Cardiac injuries like myocarditis, myocardial infarction, and congestive heart failure are dangerous complications of influenza infection, and these events are either driven by a tropism of the virus for the heart or exacerbation of coronary artery diseases as a consequence of influenza driven inflammatory response . Our data revealed an association between cardiovascular complications, hsTroponinT, and neopterin serum levels in the setting of influenza virus infection, further suggesting neopterin as a potential marker to contribute to risk prediction in patients with cardiovascular disease.…”

“…Seasonal influenza is an important cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, with an annual incidence rate estimated between 5% and 10% in adults and 20% and 30% in children, resulting in about 290 000‐650 000 deaths per year . Especially infants, older adults and patients with chronic illnesses like cardiovascular disease or immunosuppression are at risk . Continuous variations of circulating seasonal influenza virus subtypes, dual or repeated infections during one season and limited effectivity of vaccination are major challenges …”

Contemporary Concise Review 2019: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

“…These cardiovascular risks increased to nearly sixfold during severe exacerbations requiring hospitalizations. Although the exact mechanisms linking cardiovascular events with acute COPD exacerbations remain elusive, animal and human experimental studies have implicated widespread neutrophilic inflammation related to viral or bacterial infections in the lungs as well as in coronaries and carotid arteries as a possible culprit . Regardless of the pathways involved, careful cardiovascular assessment is required during acute COPD exacerbations to ensure that these cardiovascular complications are diagnosed promptly and treated with appropriate therapies.…”

Twenty‐five years of Respirology: Advances in respiratory infections and tuberculosis

“…A self‐controlled case series in Canada has shown a significant association between respiratory infections (especially influenza) and AMI. Incidence ratios for AMI within 1 week after detection of influenza B, influenza A, RSV and other viruses were 10.11 (95% CI: 4.37–23.38), 5.17 (95% CI: 3.02–8.84), 3.51 (95% CI: 1.11–11.12) and 2.77 (95% CI: 1.23–6.24), respectively . Studies of strategies to reduce these cardiovascular complications are of interest.…”