Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42321754›Full record

ReviewVirology journal2026

Influenza-associated myocarditis: a case series and structured narrative review.

Shuroug A Alowais, Afnan Aljuhani, Mohammed D Alotaibi, Abdulrahman Alyousef, Abdulaziz Alanazi, Mohamed Aziz, Lama Alfehaid

Abstract readReviewCase Reports
In one paragraph

Review in Virology journal, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Shuroug A AlowaisDepartment of Pharmacy Practice, College of Pharmacy, King Saud bin, Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, 2915 Al Haras Al Watani St, Ar Rimayah, 14611, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Afnan AljuhaniPharmaceutical Care Department, King Abdulaziz Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Mohammed D AlotaibiShaqra College of Medicine, Shaqra University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Abdulrahman AlyousefDepartment of Pharmacy Practice, College of Pharmacy, King Saud bin, Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, 2915 Al Haras Al Watani St, Ar Rimayah, 14611, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Abdulaziz AlanaziDepartment of Pharmacy Practice, College of Pharmacy, King Saud bin, Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, 2915 Al Haras Al Watani St, Ar Rimayah, 14611, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Mohamed AzizPharmaceutical Care Department, King Abdulaziz Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Lama AlfehaidDepartment of Pharmacy Practice, College of Pharmacy, King Saud bin, Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, 2915 Al Haras Al Watani St, Ar Rimayah, 14611, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Fehaidl@ksau-hs.edu.sa.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundInfluenza infection is a significant cause of global illness and death. Although mainly a respiratory disease, it can be complicated by extra-pulmonary conditions like myocarditis and myopericarditis. The prevalence and range of influenza-associated myocarditis are not well understood, especially in the Middle East, where case reports are limited.

methodsWe conducted a retrospective case series of adult patients admitted to King Abdulaziz Medical City in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from September 2024 to July 2025, with clinically diagnosed influenza-associated myocarditis. Diagnosis was based on the 2024 ACC Expert Consensus Decision Pathway criteria and a positive influenza PCR. Clinical data, diagnostic results, management strategies, and outcomes were collected from electronic medical records. Additionally, we performed a structured literature review of case reports and case series on influenza-associated myocarditis to provide context for our findings.

resultsFour patients (ages 37-79 years; three women) were identified with clinically diagnosed influenza-associated myocarditis. Presentations ranged from mild myopericarditis with preserved hemodynamics to fulminant myocarditis complicated by cardiogenic shock requiring venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation and Impella support. All patients received oseltamivir, and selected patients received colchicine, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or immunomodulatory therapy. Three patients recovered with normalization of cardiac function, while one patient with fulminant disease died despite aggressive support. The literature review identified 24 published cases of influenza-associated myocarditis. Most patients were previously healthy young adults (median age 42.5 years), and 79.2% achieved complete recovery. However, 20.8% died, often following rapid progression to cardiogenic shock and multi-organ failure.

conclusionInfluenza-associated myocarditis is a rare, potentially fatal complication affecting healthy adults. Our findings highlight the importance of early recognition, prompt antiviral therapy, and access to mechanical circulatory support when needed. This case series, among the first from Saudi Arabia, along with a literature review, offers insights into the clinical spectrum, management, and outcomes of this underrecognized condition.

Indexed as

Influenza, HumanMyocarditisAdultAgedAntiviral AgentsFemaleHumansMaleMiddle AgedOseltamivirPericarditisRetrospective StudiesSaudi ArabiaShock, CardiogenicAntiviral AgentsOseltamivircardiogenic shockFulminant myocarditisInfluenza-associated myocarditisMechanical circulatory supportMyopericarditis

Identifiers

PMID42321754
PMCPMC13528080

What Socratic holds

Textmetadata
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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.