The influenza vaccine safe for Cardiovascular patients- finds study.

As per the recent study results, Influenza vaccination is safe and efficacious for reducing cardiovascular morbidities and mortalities in patients with Myocardial Infarction. The study was published in the journal "Current Cardiology Reports." 

Influenza is a global health burden causing significant morbidity and mortality.  Death due to this is not just from respiratory causes but also other non-respiratory conditions. Influenza infection is a significant and well-established cause of the cardiovascular disease (CVD) and CV mortality. It is shown to reduce major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) and CV mortality. There is a strong recommendation for its use in patients with established CVD or high risk for CVD as per the major society guidelines. Despite all this, the Influenza vaccine remains underutilized and is administered to stable outpatients majorly. There is no proper evidence on the safety and efficacy of influenza vaccination among patients with acute myocardial infarction (MI). 

Researchers reviewed previous literature and also conducted an updated meta-analysis of all the randomized control trials which included influenza vaccine and cardiovascular outcomes, including Influenza Vaccination after Myocardial Infarction (IAMI) and the recent Influenza Vaccine to Prevent Adverse Vascular Events (IVVE) trial. Pooled analysis of 8 RCTs had a total of 14,420 patients in this review. 

Results: 

• IAMI trial showed that influenza vaccination within 72 h of hospitalization for MI led to a significant 28% reduction in MACE and there was an additional 41% reduction in CV mortality, without any excess in serious adverse events. 
• Pooled analysis showed that influenza vaccine, as compared with control/placebo, was associated with a significantly lower risk of MACE at follow-up. 

Thus, the researchers concluded that influenza vaccination is safe and efficacious at reducing CV morbidity and mortality in patients with recent MI and their updated meta-analysis confirmed a 25% reduction in MACE. They also suggested that in all patients with CVD influenza vaccine should be strongly encouraged and incorporated as an essential facet of post-MI care and secondary CVD prevention. 

To read the full article, click here: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12872-022-02781-9

Maniar, Y.M., Al-Abdouh, A. & Michos, E.D. Influenza Vaccination for Cardiovascular Prevention: Further Insights from the IAMI Trial and an Updated Meta-analysis. Curr Cardiol Rep (2022).