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The following is a summary of “Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor-Related Myocarditis: A Single Center Observational Registry,” published in the May 2025 issue of Clinical Cardiology by Alexander et al. 

Researchers conducted a retrospective study to describe the characteristics, treatments, and outcomes of individuals who developed myocarditis related to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) at the University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics.  

They analyzed cases of ICI-related myocarditis from 2009 to 2024 at a single center. Data were collected from electronic medical records, including demographics, cardiovascular risk factors, medications, and cancer characteristics. Continuous data were compared using unpaired Student’s t-tests or the Wilcoxon rank-sum test, and categorical data were analyzed with Fisher’s exact test.  

The results showed that 18 patients were included with a mean age of 74 ± 9.4 years, and 61% were male. Patients with ICI-related myocarditis had a higher prevalence of coronary artery disease (CAD) (36.8% vs 7.5%, P= 0.01) and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) (33% vs 10%, P= 0.03) compared to controls and had lower rates of normal sinus rhythm on baseline electrocardiogram (ECG) (50% vs 70%, P< 0.01) and experienced more major adverse cardiac events (MACE) (38.9% vs 2.5%, P< 0.01). Additionally, 12 (66.7%) patients exhibited myasthenia gravis-like overlap syndrome, and 9 (50%) had myositis or rhabdomyolysis.  

Investigators concluded that ICI-related myocarditis was rare, but despite its low incidence, it presented a high risk of MACE, with patients having pre-existing cardiovascular disease being more susceptible. 

Source: onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/clc.70154