Canadian Cardiovascular Society



For immediate release: January 21, 2024, 12:01 am ET

Funding will support continued patient recruitment, detailed follow-up, new analyses, and dissemination of findings.

Ottawa, ON – The Canadian Cardiovascular Society (CCS) study on the long-term impact of COVID-19 and mRNA vaccines on the heart has been awarded a fourth year of funding to continue important medical monitoring at more than 30 sites across Canada.

The MYCOVACC study (Canadian Cardiovascular Society National Active Surveillance Study of MYocarditis and/or Pericarditis following mRNA COVID-19 VACCination) will receive $1.6 million from the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) for the 2025-26 fiscal year.

Funds will be used to support the expanded study of adults and children with myocarditis and/or pericarditis after mRNA COVID-19 vaccination or infection, and to create tools and resources for healthcare professionals, policymakers, and the public to help inform decision-making about vaccines.

The MYCOVACC study began in 2022 after reports of rare cases of myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle) and pericarditis (inflammation of the lining surrounding the heart muscle) during the global pandemic. Led by cardiologist and researcher Dr. Nathaniel Hawkins at the University of British Columbia, the study has now received four PHAC grants totalling $6.7 million.

New funding for 2025-26 will support:

  • continued enrolment, extended patient follow-up, and the addition of new study sites;
  • more cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans to measure recovery of the heart;
  • ongoing assessment of large databases and health records to examine the accuracy of adverse event reporting;
  • a new study to assess the risk of arrhythmia (abnormal heart rhythm) in patients with post-vaccine myocarditis;
  • an outcome study, comparing two large cohorts of patients with post-vaccine myocarditis and COVID-associated myocarditis against patients with myocarditis from other causes; and,
  • the development of communications and knowledge translation tools, and professional development activities for health professionals.

“Support from the Public Health Agency of Canada will allow us to expand this valuable study, continue to characterize recovery of the heart, probe new and emerging avenues of research, dispel misinformation, and evaluate relative risks,” Dr. Hawkins said. “Information and insights will be shared broadly through publications, professional development, and other outreach efforts.”

An area of particular interest over the next year is the MYCOVACC arrhythmia study, led by Dr. Richard Bennett of the University of British Columbia, an established expert in the field of ventricular arrhythmia and cardiac monitoring. Electrocardiogram patches will be provided to all study participants after cardiac MRI to monitor their heart rhythms over 14 days. A control group with myocarditis following COVID-19 infection will also receive patch monitoring to assess heart rhythm and function.

While investigators believe the risk of arrhythmia is low in patients with post-vaccine myocarditis, Dr. Bennett said “MYCOVACC provides an excellent opportunity for us to characterize atrial and ventricular rhythm, predict arrhythmia risk, and to fill an identified knowledge gap”. According to a recent MYCOVACC team publication in the Canadian Journal of Cardiology, the overall incidence rate of myocarditis in Canada is 1.2 per 100,000 vaccine doses, which is consistent with estimates worldwide. The risk of myocarditis following COVID-19 infection is consistently higher than the risk associated with vaccines, according to a number of international studies.

Information about MYCOVACC is available here: https://ccs.ca/mycovacc/, including patient and healthcare provider resources, a podcast, a status and management update, and more.

For more information, please contact:

Stephanie Naday
Director of Communications
Canadian Cardiovascular Society
naday@ccs.ca


About the Canadian Cardiovascular Society:  The CCS is the trusted voice in Canada for cardiovascular care professionals, bringing together more than 2,500 medical specialists and key members of the heart health team to advance research, education, and care. Stakeholders, decision-makers, and professional groups turn to the CCS first to consult us on new developments and emerging issues in cardiovascular care in Canada, visit https://ccs.ca/ 

About the Public Health Agency of Canada: The Public Health Agency of Canada is part of the federal health portfolio. Its activities focus on preventing disease and injuries, responding to public health threats, promoting good physical and mental health, and providing information to support informed decision making. Visit: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health 

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