Hospitalized a few days before his ordeal, Elyam, 18, did not give up his professional baccalaureate. Thanks to exceptional organization between the hospital and his establishment, he was able to take his oral exam from his room. The opportunity to better understand what myocarditis is, an inflammation of the heart muscle which requires rapid treatment.
A baccalaureate test taken… from a hospital room
At only 18 years old, Elyam Vignaud had to take the oral exam for his professional baccalaureate. But four days before the event, he was urgently admitted to the Angoulême hospital center for myocarditis, an inflammation of the heart muscle.
After several examinations, a cardiologist refuses to allow him to go to his high school in order to preserve his health. Another solution is then found. In agreement with the teaching team, parents, the doctor and the examination division of the Academic Inspectorate, the jury travels directly to the hospital.
A sign reading “Baccalaureate exam in progress! Do not disturb” is installed on the door of his room. From his hospital bed, Elyam presents his topic on modernizing a security system to the two teachers who have come to evaluate him.
According to the high school student, the oral exam went well. This organization allows him to avoid postponing his exam until September, a deadline incompatible with his future apprenticeship contract, scheduled for mid-July.
What is myocarditis?
Myocarditis is an inflammation of the myocardium, the muscle that allows the heart to pump blood throughout the body. When this muscle is affected, its functioning can be disrupted and heart failure can occur.
Doctor Stéphane Manzo-Silberman, cardiologist, interviewed in a previous article, specifies that this disease is most often linked to an autoimmune response triggered by various attacks, in particular viral infections. Young people are among the most affected people.
The cardiologist recalls that the forms of myocarditis are “extremely variable”. They can range from a simple flu-like syndrome to much more severe forms, which can lead to heart failure or cardiogenic shock.
Symptoms not to be neglected
The signs can be very different from person to person.
Among the symptoms mentioned are:
- Great fatigue;
- Fever and body aches;
- Pain in the chest;
- Shortness of breath;
- Palpitations or irregular heartbeat.
According to the ANSM, shortness of breath, chest pain or palpitations should lead you to consult a doctor quickly.
The diagnosis is based on several tests, including an electrocardiogram (ECG), a blood test looking for an elevation in troponin, as well as a cardiac MRI.
Hospitalization is essential
In the event of myocarditis, hospital treatment is necessary for at least 48 hours, explains Dr. Stéphane Manzo-Silberman.
Treatment depends on the severity of the disorder. It can range from simple symptomatic treatment and rest for the mildest forms to monitoring in intensive care, or even circulatory assistance in the most serious cases.
Vaccines against Covid-19: what the studies show
As a reminder, in November 2021, the High Authority for Health recommended against the use of the Moderna vaccine (Spikevax) in those under 30, after the results of an Epi-Phare study, carried out with Health Insurance and the ANSM using data from the National Health Data System (SNDS).
This study, covering people aged 12 to 50 years hospitalized in France for myocarditis or pericarditis between May 15 and August 31, 2021, confirms an increase in risk with messenger RNA vaccines, particularly in young men under 30 years old after the second dose of Spikevax. The authors emphasize, however, that these cases remain uncommon given the number of doses administered.
According to another study, myocarditis is much more common after infection with Covid-19 than after vaccination. She also mentions an Israeli study published in the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM)according to which the risk of myocarditis would be multiplied by 3 after a messenger RNA vaccine, compared to 18 after infection with the coronavirus.
Finally, a pharmaco-epidemiology study from Epi-Phare, relayed by the ANSM in August 2024 in the JAVA network. Its results indicate that 18 months later, people who developed myocarditis after vaccination against Covid-19 present fewer cardiovascular complications than patients with myocarditis of another origin.