Evaluation of Late-Term Effects of BNT162b2 mRNA COVID-19 Vaccine on Myocardial Perfusion by Myocardial Perfusion Scintigraphy

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the late-term effects of the BNT162b2 mRNA COVID-19 vaccine on myocardial perfusion using myocardial perfusion scintigraphy (MPS). Materials and Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 181 procedures involving pharmacological stress and rest single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) MPS performed between September 2020 and September 2023 in participants aged 18–70 years. Participants were divided into two groups: those who received the BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine (n=93) and those who did not (n=88). Individuals with prior cardiac surgery, severe valvular disease, atrial fibrillation, or other significant comorbidities affecting myocardial function were excluded. Demographic data, cardiovascular risk factors, and MPS parameters (end-diastolic volume [EDV], end-systolic volume [ESV], ejection fraction [EF], summed stress score [SSS]) were compared between groups. Results: No significant intergroup differences were observed in age, sex, or cardiovascular risk factors (p > 0.05). The mean SSS was 2.54 ± 3.69 in vaccinated and 2.78 ± 4.15 in unvaccinated individuals (p = 0.453). Mean EF values between the vaccinated and unvaccinated groups were 64.27 ± 7.85% compared to 62.16 ± 9.79% (p = 0.11). No significant differences were observed in EDV (74.91 ± 18.63 ml vs. 77.18 ± 23.66 ml; p = 0.48) and ESV (27.58 ± 11.24 ml vs. 30.65 ± 15.69 ml; p = 0.14). No statistically significant difference was found in the frequency of ischemic MPS findings between the vaccinated and unvaccinated groups (34% vs. 35%; p = 0.89). Conclusion: No adverse effects of the BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine on late-term myocardial perfusion or left ventricular function were detected.